Should I break up with Whatsapp
Tags: messaging, privacy, security, mobile
Published: 2021-03-09 20:32:27

Whatsapp is one of the largest end-to-end messaging services out there, owned by one of the largest monopolising companies, Facebook. Recently WhatsApp released their new privacy terms.

Users in the last couple of days, are being asked to agree to those changes, and for now, they can choose to leave it until later, but like the rein of Obama, all good things come to an end. At some point shortly though users will be forced to accept to be able to utilise the app.

The new terms state that Whatsapp can share personal data across their systems with Facebook

> “As part of the Facebook family of companies, WhatsApp receives information from, and shares information with, this family of companies”

> "We may use the information we receive from them, and they may use the information we share with them, to help operate, provide, improve, understand, customize, support, and market our Services and their offerings."

### What does this mean in layman's terms?

Don't worry though the _"information"_ part of that statement isn't your actual messages, as these are encrypted and can't be accessed by Whatsapp.

The information relates to personal information including but not all:

* contacts details (numbers and names)
* profile names / images
* IP address & location data
* status updates

### Who is affected? What will happen with my data?

Facebook, which owns WhatsApp, said European and UK users would not see the same data-sharing changes, although users will still need to accept the new terms to keep using the app. Users will have until the 8th of February to accept the terms before they will no longer be able to use the service.

The _"key updates"_ summary of important changes highlights integration with Facebook in the international copy - but does not do so on the European version of the same page. Meaning the new data-sharing policies do not affect us in the post-Brexit UK.

Facebook issued a statement saying that there would be no changes in the _"European region"_ - which covers the EU, EEA, us in the UK (even after Brexit).

> "For the avoidance of any doubt, it is still the case that WhatsApp does not share European region WhatsApp user data with Facebook for Facebook using this data to improve its products or advertisements," a spokesperson said.

The new version of the privacy policy for European users explicitly says that data can be shared with other Facebook companies to show personalised advertising and offers, make suggestions for content, and "help" to complete purchases, among other reasons.

For those that aren't aware, the Facebook family of other companies could relate to the following, plus others:
WhatsApp, Instagram, Oculus VR, Onavo (Web analytics), Beluga (who's technology was utilised in the newer FB Messenger).

So, your data, although not shared with Facebook can still be shared with these other companies.

#### Brexit may come to bite us though

This could change later this year, when Whatsapp moves the UK to its US jurisdiction, now it is no longer part of the EU. Meaning it could share our data with Facebook, and potentially other third-party companies after receiving consent from the user.

Here's where my trust is tested...

A section of the WhatsApp international privacy policy has been removed, which previously let people opt-out of sharing personal information with Facebook for the first 30 days after the changes went live.

Will there be more changes to this privacy policy in the future? If there's anything we've learnt from Facebook in the last few years they have a habit of changing the rules to suit themselves, so this is very likely, especially once Facebook does include us under US jurisdiction and we're no longer protected under the European data sharing laws.

#### Should I accept, or worry further down the line? What are the alternatives?

Personally, I'd say hang on to your group chats, and Whatsapp messages for the time being. Wait and see where this goes, as up to now we're still protected and Facebook can't access our information (albeit the several other systems can). But just be wary this will happen and ask yourselves how you feel about it all.

There are other major secure messaging services, such as Signal (even recommended by Elon Musk himself recently) & Telegram.

My personal choice would be Signal as all chats are encrypted end to end by default, unlike Telegram who only offer this on secret messages.

The app does not store metadata, logs, or information on its users. It also does not store a record of your contacts, conversations, locations, profile name, avatar, group memberships or group titles. You also have an option that hides your IP address, and a self-destructing messages option that disappears completely after a set time.

You can read more about them both at signal homepage and telegram.

As always if you wish to discuss this article with me tweet me at @ GWeaths