Facebook / Whatsapp privacy issues

Whatsapp have just issued an update, with new Terms and Conditions, that will allow them to pass your phone number and other info to Facebook. (Facebook own Whatsapp now).

This could lead to unexpected privacy traps, for those who use the same phone here and for private things. For example, if an escort and client both have Whatsapp and Facebook on their phones, Facebook could suggest one as a Friend to the other, even though the only link between the two people is that one has the other as a contact.

There is an opportunity only for the first 30 days to opt out of this data sharing. If you want to, go into Whatsapp Settings .....Account.....Share my account info, and uncheck the box.

If that option does not show up you may need to uninstall and reinstall Whatsapp.

Scumbags!! Privacy gets harder all the time.

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Originally Posted by MidlifeCrisis

Whatsapp have just issued an update, with new Terms and Conditions, that will allow them to pass your phone number and other info to Facebook. (Facebook own Whatsapp now).

This could lead to unexpected privacy traps, for those who use the same phone here and for private things. For example, if an escort and client both have Whatsapp and Facebook on their phones, Facebook could suggest one as a Friend to the other, even though the only link between the two people is that one has the other as a contact.

There is an opportunity only for the first 30 days to opt out of this data sharing. If you want to, go into Whatsapp Settings .....Account.....Share my account info, and uncheck the box.

If that option does not show up you may need to uninstall and reinstall Whatsapp.

Scumbags!! Privacy gets harder all the time.

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No it doesn't. It really doesn't.

What it comes down to is security/privacy versus convenience. You want something like Whatsapp, FB messenger or iMessage because "it just works™" is cross platform and the masses are on it. It configures itself, and it just works. Since you're not paying for it why in the name of any god would you expect them to put you and your privacy/security as a priority? Even Signal Private Messaging app which uses fantastic encryption uses their servers, so there has to be a degree of trust there too.

If you want secure, private, electronic communications with NO 600 page user agreement that basically says they can do what they want with your data, then you need to do the work yourself. Start using OpenPGP encryption on emails. It's about the only way for true security and privacy.

But, of course, nobody ever will. Because it involves effort. People want top tier services for free then complain when the people giving out the service do things to monetise the platform.

:soapbox:

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Originally Posted by FatBastard

No it doesn't. It really doesn't.

What it comes down to is security/privacy versus convenience. You want something like Whatsapp, FB messenger or iMessage because "it just works™" is cross platform and the masses are on it. It configures itself, and it just works. Since you're not paying for it why in the name of any god would you expect them to put you and your privacy/security as a priority? Even Signal Private Messaging app which uses fantastic encryption uses their servers, so there has to be a degree of trust there too.

If you want secure, private, electronic communications with NO 600 page user agreement that basically says they can do what they want with your data, then you need to do the work yourself. Start using OpenPGP encryption on emails. It's about the only way for true security and privacy.

But, of course, nobody ever will. Because it involves effort. People want top tier services for free then complain when the people giving out the service do things to monetise the platform.

:soapbox:

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This is you proving that privacy does not get harder? :D I'm not saying that we are entitled to privacy - just that it gets eroded constantly - often in sneaky ways.

I'm a nerd as well and I could continue the debate but we'd all fall asleep. Let's keep tech stuff off this thread because it is intended to be an easy guide for non-technical people to avoid this particular beartrap.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MidlifeCrisis

This is you proving that privacy does not get harder? :D I'm not saying that we are entitled to privacy - just that it gets eroded constantly - often in sneaky ways.

I'm a nerd as well and I could continue the debate but we'd all fall asleep. Let's keep tech stuff off this thread because it is intended to be an easy guide for non-technical people to avoid this particular beartrap.

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Yeah I get you, but OpenPGP was specced what, 10 years ago?

Bottom line don't do "dodgy" things on normie services :D