You might not have much control over how your data is used by tech firms, but there’s still some small things you can do to ward off invasions to your privacy.
Last month, WhatsApp said that it’s going to start sharing user data with parent company Facebook, which has owned the popular messaging app since snapping it up for $16bn in 2014.
This news especially annoyed and startled people because WhatsApp assured its users at the time of the takeover that data would remain outside of Facebook interference.
Im tired of #Facebook changes on its privacy policy, #WhatsApp was to good to be true. Bye bye #WhatsApp hello #Telegram
— Jonatan R. (@Jonatanr) August 26, 2016
The company says the information will be used to precision-tool ads on Facebook and WhatsApp.
If you’re not comfortable with the idea of Facebook having access to your data, there is an option to refuse permission for WhatsApp to give the bigger company your number for advertising purposes.
However, the catch is you only have another two days to opt out, before the WhatsApp/Facebook data exchange commences on September 25.
At some point, you will be presented with a new terms of service when you click into your WhatsApp. It looks like this:
DON’T just click ‘Agree’. Instead, click ‘Read more about the key updates to our Terms and Privacy policy’.
You’ll then be presented with the option to opt out of being included in a service to “improve your Facebook ads and products experiences.”
Not to worry if you’ve already been presented with and accepted the new terms of service. If you have, then open the Settings in your WhatsApp app – go to Account – Share my account info and uncheck the box.
If you’re so inclined, you can read WhatsApp’s full terms and conditions here.
