New WhatsApp Privacy Policy... Should You be worried?

In 2014, Facebook purchased WhatsApp for about $19billion. Co-founder Jan Koum insisted WhatsApp would remain the same by respecting user privacy and not collecting user data. Things appear to have changed. WhatsApp updated its Privacy Policy for the first time since 2012, and the new policy states that there will be data sharing with Facebook. This data does not include your messages or photos. So why is WhatsApp asking to connect with my Facebook?

Whatsapp plans on helping Facebook improve the Ad experience on facebook and its products to make accurate count of unique users and fight spam and abuse. The updated policy also states: "..we will share some of your account information with Facebook and the Facebook family of companies, like the phone number you verified when you registered with WhatsApp, as well as the last time you used our service...". This means that shared information will include name of device, online status, usage and log information.

Should You be Worried?

Since the roll out of the new terms, a lot of misleading WhatsApp broadcast messages have been going round skewing the truth about the New policy. If your phone number is not used to register on Facebook or associated with any Facebook account, you have nothing to worry about. As an existing WhatsApp user with a Facebook Account, you are free to opt-out of sharing your information to Facebook by going to Settings >> Account >> Share My Account info and untick the box.

What are the benefits?

Facebook plans to bring even more features you WhatsApp. We already enjoy a wide array of features of Facebook already. With WhatsApp linked with Facebook, you can be able to message people directly from the phone numbers on their profile.
Also, you get better friend suggestions and more relevant adverts will be served to you. You will also be better protected from spam and abuse

What are the dangers?

With your WhatsApp and Facebook merged you are now connected through a single channel and if your information is ever compromised, there is a lot more at stake. Although, with end-to-end encryption, your messages are safe and nobody can access them. The world is turning into a global village and the introduction of new terms like this are inevitable. Either you accept or not it's worth noting some bits of your information are already accessible by default on signing up.
Except you have skeletons in your cupboard, you really have nothing to be worried about.

Digital Marketers should be excited about the prospects of  these new terms as it means Ads will be more targeted and streamlined for the right audiences. With billions of users across both platforms, the possibilities are endless!

Imagine a world where you can prevent someone from using your name and picture and defrauding people. A world where you can receive information about your upcoming flight directly in your chats or prevent your work like songs, apps and videos from being shared indiscriminately by people. This is the world Facebook wants to give you. The question is: Do You Want?

Let me have your opinions in the comment box!

Credits: Official WhatsApp Blog & IndianExpress