Earlier this year, WhatsApp, the popular instant messaging application, informed users of the changes to its terms of service and privacy policy, which will take effect on February 8.
The company said the update will provide users with more information on how apps treat each account’s data, how companies can use Facebook’s hosting service to store and manage WhatsApp chats. Their and how it relates to Facebook’s “Product Integration”
“The major change is that they let users know that the data they collect will be available to all Facebook conglomerates, that is, for all platforms the company has,” said ÁxelDíaz, Adalid Corp. Computer security
Díaz also pointed out that the platform was not intended to be included. “Ads within applications or banners or ad parts”Within the official page, the app, which has more than 2 billion users worldwide, indicates what information is collected from users, how the user data is used, what information and how companies share it with other companies that Staying on Facebook, data processing methods, and more.
What information do they collect?
WhatsApp states that they have access to the information in the user’s account, meaning their mobile phone number, profile name, picture and description that the person included.
Regarding the message, the platform pointed out that they are end-to-end encrypted, so they are not stored on company servers, but on the user’s device. Likewise, the application will access all the contacts saved on the mobile phone.
This app also collects transaction and payment data for countries where purchase is enabled within the platform. This corresponds to the transaction, payment method, delivery details and amount.
Companies, on the other hand, collect data about user activity within applications, meaning how they interact with contacts, including the company or business, the time they look at, the frequency and duration of those interactions.
“It will also include information about when you signed up for our service. Functions you use such as messaging, calling, group status (Including group name, group photo, group description), payment or commercial functions, profile picture, “about” information if you were online when you last used the service, “WhatsApp said.
Likewise, the app also accesses information about the device using the application. This means your model, operating system, battery level, signal strength, app version you have, your phone service provider, browser information you use, connection information, phone number, IP address, language, and time zone.
WhatsApp collects georeference data from the device ”even if you are not using our location-related features. But we also use your IP address and other information, such as area codes for phone numbers, to approximate your general location, such as city and country, ”said Facebook. The platform also uses cookies to work.
Regarding third party information, the app receives information from people provided by other users. “When other users you know use our service, they can provide you with phone numbers, names and other information (such as information from your mobile address book) the same way you can provide them, lWhatsApp said.
How do they use the information?
The company ensures that the information collected from users will be used to “Conduct, procure, improve, understand, customize, support and market” the services they offer.
Likewise, within its privacy policy, WhatsApp states that companies and businesses that leverage the platform can provide metrics on how they use the services they do.
The messaging application ensures that, as part of the Facebook company, WhatsApp receives information from other companies, as well as social networks Facebook and Instagram.
“One of the main reflections that this type of improvement leaves behind is the importance of reading the terms and conditions, as an app has been collecting this information for a long time. That person is the person who decides whether or not they want to use the service, which is absolutely free because they pay for their information, ”Díaz points out.
If you would like to access the terms of the WhatsApp privacy policy, click here.
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