WhatsApp started notifying its 2 billion users last month about an update to its privacy policy. Most of its users probably didn’t look at the details, and simply clicked “I agree” when the notice popped up on their phones. (To use the app, one must click “I agree.”) There has been a backlash from privacy advocates, which is worth noting here in case you missed that news. WhatsApp has delayed the implementation of the terms of the new privacy policy for a few months so it can address those concerns.

If you are a WhatsApp user and you click “I agree” to that pop-up that you don’t read, here’s a synopsis (not comprehensive) of what you are agreeing to that is not protecting your privacy:

  • WhatsApp can share all data it collects about you with the entire Facebook network, (including Instagram), even if you don’t have an account with other parts of the network (e.g., Instagram).
  • If you don’t accept the new terms, you will not have full functionality of the app (which is reported to go live in May).
  • WhatsApp is monetizing the data it collects from you and asks for your consent to use your data to make money.
  • WhatsApp will be providing more information about the changes to the privacy policy through a banner in WhatsApp—this writer thinks you may wish to read the banner and the privacy policy a bit more carefully before you agree.
  • Although your conversations in WhatsApp are private and encrypted, WhatsApp has access to your usage data and your unique identifier, which may be linked to your identity. This is one of the reasons they are asking you to accept the new terms.
  • Facebook is monetizing your data and increasing its revenue by using your usage of WhatsApp to push targeted ads to you on Facebook and Instagram.

The changes to the privacy policy are not really designed to protect your privacy, but rather to get consent to sell your information so businesses can sell things to you. It’s not really a “privacy” policy, it is a “let me monetize your data” policy.

Some users are taking note that they will not agree to the new “privacy” policy and are defecting to Signal, which as a privacy pro, I prefer for messaging. WhatsApp users may wish to take a look at Signal’s privacy policy and compare it to WhatsApp’s. It can be accessed here.

Photo of Linn Foster Freedman Linn Foster Freedman

Linn Freedman practices in data privacy and security law, cybersecurity, and complex litigation. She is a member of the Business Litigation Group and the Financial Services Cyber-Compliance Team, and chairs the firm’s Data Privacy and Security and Artificial Intelligence Teams. Linn focuses her…

Linn Freedman practices in data privacy and security law, cybersecurity, and complex litigation. She is a member of the Business Litigation Group and the Financial Services Cyber-Compliance Team, and chairs the firm’s Data Privacy and Security and Artificial Intelligence Teams. Linn focuses her practice on compliance with all state and federal privacy and security laws and regulations. She counsels a range of public and private clients from industries such as construction, education, health care, insurance, manufacturing, real estate, utilities and critical infrastructure, marine and charitable organizations, on state and federal data privacy and security investigations, as well as emergency data breach response and mitigation. Linn is an Adjunct Professor of the Practice of Cybersecurity at Brown University and an Adjunct Professor of Law at Roger Williams University School of Law.  Prior to joining the firm, Linn served as assistant attorney general and deputy chief of the Civil Division of the Attorney General’s Office for the State of Rhode Island. She earned her J.D. from Loyola University School of Law and her B.A., with honors, in American Studies from Newcomb College of Tulane University. She is admitted to practice law in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Read her full rc.com bio here.

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