How To Stop Facebook From Using Your WhatsApp Data
A few months ago, we added an acquaintance on WhatsApp and were surprised to see his profile pop up in “People You May Know” on our Facebook page. So the possibility of WhatsApp sharing data with Facebook did cross our mind.
We weren’t really baffled,therefore, when WhatsApp recently confirmed on its blog that it does indeed share data with Facebook. Here’s the key “take away” from the official WhatsApp announcement:
And 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.
How WhatsApp-Facebook Data Sharing Will Affect You
Although WhatsApp has repeatedly iterated that it DOES NOT share content posted on WhatsApp with any third-party, one would think why in the world Facebook would pay a staggering $19 billion to acquire it; that too for a service that generates less than a dollar a year per customer. There has to be some catch, right?
To be honest, we don’t know. But, what any wise man should learn from this whole affair is that it always pays to go that extra mile to ensure your own data security. Why? Well, here are some questions that we must ask ourselves:
- Facebook – As WhatsApp has become Facebook’s backdoor to the multiverse of communication, how will Facebook capitalize on the fact that it has access to more information on customers which can lead to better understanding of the customer to enhance their experience?
- Marketers – As WhatsApp announced in January that it plans to integrate with businesses and provide them access to user data, could this mean that we should expect SPAM on WhatsApp now?
- Governments – With the NSA Hack and the uproar that it has created around the world, can we really trust Machiavellian regimes and secretive intelligence agencies that we now know are monitoring every online and telecommunication activity?
Disable WhatsApp-Facebook Data Sharing Now
If you are not running the latest version of WhatsApp, go to Google Play Store and update now. Once the update is installed, you will get a message which basically details the updated terms and conditions (as shown in this picture).
All you need to do is tap on “Read” and then simply scroll all the way down. At the bottom of the page is a check box with the message “Share my WhatsApp account information with Facebook to improve my Facebook ads and products experiences”. “Uncheck” the box to opt out of Facebook-WhatsApp data sharing.
But I’ve Already Updated and Agreed to the New Terms and Conditions
If you have already updated WhatsApp and also agreed to the updated terms and conditions, here’s how you can disable Facebook-WhatsApp data sharing:
1. Tap on the three white dots at the top-right corner of your smartphone screen and click on “Settings”
2. Now click on “Account Settings”
3. On the account settings page, uncheck “Share my account info”
What else can I do to remain secure?
If you’re connected to a public Wi-Fi to use WhatsApp and Facebook, you may be vulnerable to hacking and data theft. To make sure that your confidential information is not compromised, simply use Ivacy VPN to protect your data and remain anonymous.
With Ivacy, you no longer have to worry about hackers and spammers snooping into your phone and accessing sensitive account information and personal details. But that’s not all Ivacy does. Here are just some of the myriad benefits that you can enjoy with Ivacy!
Subscribing to Ivacy is as easy as ABC! Just follow these simple steps:
- Subscribe for Ivacy VPN account with your username and password
- Download and install Ivacy VPN app on your desired platform or system (Windows, Android, iOS, Mac, Linux, etc.)
- From the smart purpose selection tool, you must select the server location from where you want to access the server. You are recommended to select the server located nearest to your home country.
- Click on ‘Connect’ button.
Now you can explore the virtual world without having to worry about our security or data theft. What’s more, you get to enjoy complete anonymity when online which shields your identity from snooping secretive entities.
