You can stop WhatsApp from sharing your data with Facebook

There are two methods to avoid data sharing

WhatsApp, Facebook Inc’s popular messaging service, on Thursday announced it will start sharing users’ phone numbers with its parent, however, there is a way to prevent data being shared.



There are two methods to avoid Facebook from getting your number. The first way is that when the messaging app updates its terms and conditions, rather than simply accepting them you can press the ‘read more’ option to read through the terms and conditions.

You can then uncheck the box which says "Share my WhatsApp account information with Facebook...”

Read more option  PHOTO: WHATSAPP



The other method applies to users who have already accepted the new terms and conditions. You can find the account tab that exists in the app settings menu and uncheck the box that says “Share my account info” to stop feeding Facebook with your data. This option exists only for 30 days after the user accepts the new terms and conditions.

Account settings  PHOTO: WHATSAPP



The move is WhatsApp’s first update to its privacy policy since it was acquired by Facebook in 2014. WhatsApp will also explore ways for businesses to send messages using its platform over the next several months, it said in a blog post. “By connecting your phone number with Facebook’s systems, Facebook can offer better friend suggestions and show you more relevant ads if you have an account with them.”



WhatsApp, however, claimed that the users’ messages would remain private even as it step up coordination with its parent company.

“Even as we coordinate more with Facebook in the months ahead, your encrypted messages stay private and no one else can read them,” the statement added.

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