Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) has agreed to hold off sharing unauthorized WhatsApp user data in the UK after it received a warning from the office of the Information Commissioner.
The social media giant changed its privacy policy in August so that it could allow the sharing of user data including phone numbers. The personal user information would be shared throughout the company’s other social platforms including Messenger and Instagram. The company had issued a notification about the changes and also had given users a 30-day period to make a decision whether to accept or refuse the changes.
Information commissioner Elizabeth Denham revealed in a blog post that her office launched an investigation on the matter about two months ago. The probe was launched due to worries that the privacy of WhatsApp users was being violated and that the users were not properly protected.
“It’s important that we have control over our personal information, even if services don’t charge us a fee,” pointed out Denham.
The Information Commissioner stated that users might agree to let a firm use their information in a specific way in exchange for some free services. However, concerns are raised when information is exploited beyond the approved level. The European regulator stated that action will be taken against Facebook if it uses private user data without direct consent. Facebook had also stated that WhatsApp user data would be shared with Facebook as part of the company’s strategy to improve the user experience as well as fighting off spam.
“We’re pleased that they’ve agreed to pause using data from UK WhatsApp users for advertisements or product improvement purposes,” revealed the information commissioner in a statement.
A spokeswoman from Facebook also revealed that the WhatsApp team has been working on new terms and a private policy so that users will have a better understanding of how the data is used as well as how the service works. The new terms also follow the guidance provided by the information commissioner’s office.
Facebook stock closed the latest trading session at $122.15.