WhatsApp no longer guarantees privacy

The messenger WhatsApp will start sharing information about its users with Facebook. This will allow sending messages to third-party organizations bypassing banner ads and spam. Will the confidentiality of the data of the multi-million army of users become compromised?

Good deal

Data exchange with Facebook would not have been possible without a deal that was committed in 2014. Then the largest social network of the world acquired instant messenger WhatsApp for a fabulous $ 19 billion. The former management hastened to assure users that the privacy policy will not undergo any changes. However, the shocking changes occurred faster than expected. Now the messenger will share information about the phone numbers of users with the social network. This should provide more relevant queries and an outlet for targeted advertising. According to analysts, some people feel cheated.

Data exchange

The head of the messenger WhatsApp stated that the exchange with Facebook phone numbers of users will help to solve the problem with the abuse of advertisements and spam. Using the information provided, the social network will be able to track the actions of users in their own interests. This will help to offer more accurate recommendations for requesting friends or showing ads about companies or services that are of interest to the user. Thus, spam and unwanted information will be almost completely eliminated. As you can see, the management pursues good goals. However, many WhatsApp users will not voluntarily share information.

Developers hastened to reassure people

Despite the fact that some information (for example, mobile phone number) will be transferred to Facebook, other users of the social network will not be able to see it in the public access. Probably, this information will partly calm the worried people. Encryption of messages will also not be made public: "Your encrypted messages leave a private character. No one else, WhatsApp, Facebook or anywhere else can read it. " Also, the management stated that users will be able to refuse to exchange data, following the instructions given on the website.

Sharp sayings

Chief analyst of Ovum Pamela Clark-Dickson hurried to comment on the situation: "When the messenger was purchased by Facebook, he was able to convince his users that he would remain completely independent. Now he gives an outside organization access to phone numbers. Many people will say that this is a betrayal, and they will lose confidence in the resource. " Thus, the first step was taken in the exchange of information with outside organizations. I wonder how long WhatsApp users are waiting for other innovations?

Marketing messages must be

An updated privacy policy opens the way for marketing messages. Different business structures will now be able to send information to the users of the messenger. First of all, SMS text messages from airlines or banking organizations will be used. This will allow people to receive timely information about the delay in the flight of the aircraft or the potentially dangerous transaction of scammers. Despite the fact that many people are used to receiving such information from other, equally reliable sources, the developers insist on their own. They plan to test these functions for several months. After that, the updated policy and confidentiality conditions will be officially announced.

Caution is above all

According to analysts, WhatsApp should be careful about marketing zeal. Many people use the messenger services, because they are completely free from advertising. Management has already promised that during the testing of new services will make every effort to protect its users from an undesirable information blockage.