So much for freemium; remember when WhatsApp was a paid service? Then it got bought by Facebook and months later they announced they are dropping their $0.99 subscription fee. Well, there is nothing that is really free in this world, is there? WhatsApp now wants to be a data harvesting farm for Advertisement giant Facebook. Guess who are the cattle in this ‘farm,’ it’s you!
“By coordinating more with Facebook, we’ll be able to do things like track basic metrics about how often people use our services and better fight spam on WhatsApp,” writes WhatsApp on its blog page.
“Facebook can offer better friend suggestions and show you more relevant ads if you have an account with them. For example, you might see an ad from a company you already work with, rather than one from someone you’ve never heard of.”
It goes without saying any data given to Facebook will be used by the social network across all its companies. That is Instagram, the recently launched Lifestage, its VR company Oculus Rift.
To what extent will WhatsApp Share your Data?
The data on you (WhatsApp user) that will be shared will include your phone number; the one you use to verify your account. It will also include information about the last time you used the app.
Now think about it! Do you want Facebook and any other entity to know your phone number and the last time you use your phone; how often you use it? You might want to get the full extent on the WhatsApp Privacy Policy at this link.
How you can opt out of WhatsApp sharing your data with Facebook
Option 1
Remember that T&Cs and Privacy Policy section you get while installing WhatsApp (or any other app for that matter)? Am sure you did not read it, and if you did I highly doubt you made it a quarter way through it. That being said, before tapping on Agree at the bottom of the T&Cs and Privacy Policy page, there is a control button near the bottom.
If you do not wish your WhatsApp activity be data mined by Facebook, uncheck that box or toggles its control.
Option 2
As it states in its FAQ section, WhatsApp will give you a maximum of 30 days after agreeing to their T&Cs and Privacy Policy to change your mind on whether or not you want Ads served to you. You can change by going to the app’s Settings > Account > Share my account info. To opt out your data being shared with Facebook, uncheck the box or toggle the control off.