WhatsApp will soon be sharing user data with its parent company, Facebook.
The change comes as the social network revamps its privacy policy to enable businesses to communicate directly with users of the platform.
“People use our app every day to keep in touch with the friends and loved ones who matter to them, and this isn’t changing. But as we announced earlier this year, we want to explore ways for you to communicate with businesses that matter to you too, while still giving you an experience without third-party banner ads and spam,” WhatsApp said in a blog post.
“Whether it’s hearing from your bank about a potentially fraudulent transaction, or getting notified by an airline about a delayed flight, many of us get this information elsewhere, including in text messages and phone calls. We want to test these features in the next several months, but need to update our terms and privacy policy to do so.”
The newly updated policy reveals that users’ phone number, profile name and photo, online status, last seen status and receipts will be shared. Content of messages will not be shared.
Users do have an opt-out option available to them, however, by going to Settings > Account to choose not to share their info with Facebook.
Users can get a step-by-step walk-through here.
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