Oh no, you're thinking, yet another cookie pop-up. Well, sorry, it's the law. We measure how many people read us, and ensure you see relevant ads, by storing cookies on your device. If you're cool with that, hit “Accept all Cookies”. For more info and to customize your settings, hit “Customize Settings”.

Review and manage your consent

Here's an overview of our use of cookies, similar technologies and how to manage them. You can also change your choices at any time, by hitting the “Your Consent Options” link on the site's footer.

Manage Cookie Preferences
  • These cookies are strictly necessary so that you can navigate the site as normal and use all features. Without these cookies we cannot provide you with the service that you expect.

  • These cookies are used to make advertising messages more relevant to you. They perform functions like preventing the same ad from continuously reappearing, ensuring that ads are properly displayed for advertisers, and in some cases selecting advertisements that are based on your interests.

  • These cookies collect information in aggregate form to help us understand how our websites are being used. They allow us to count visits and traffic sources so that we can measure and improve the performance of our sites. If people say no to these cookies, we do not know how many people have visited and we cannot monitor performance.

See also our Cookie policy and Privacy policy.

This article is more than 1 year old

Facebook 'fesses up to WhatsApp privacy blunder in UK

Chat app ponders procuring proper permissions from punters, Info Comish ponders punishment for non-compliance

Facebook has “agreed to pause using data from UK WhatsApp users for advertisements or product improvement purposes” after a previously-announced probe by the Information Commissioner’s Office.

UK information commissioner Elizabeth Denham writes that eight weeks ago she kicked off an investigation into WhatsApp, because “I don’t think users have been given enough information about what Facebook plans to do with their information, and I don’t think WhatsApp has got valid consent from users to share the information.”

“I also believe users should be given ongoing control over how their information is used, not just a 30 day window.”

Facebook agrees with the first proposition, at least inasmuch as it has suspended its use of user data for an unspecified period of time. But Denham's post says The Social Network™ and its WhatsApp limb have not yet agreed to “sign an undertaking committing to better explaining to customers how their data will be used, and to giving users ongoing control over that information.”

Denham therefore warns that “If Facebook starts using the data without valid consent, it may face enforcement action from my office.” Which can mean fines. Big fines.

The commissioner also seems to have her eye on Microsoft's acquisition of LinkedIn, as her post offers this paragraph too:

It’s a particular concern when company mergers mean that vast amounts of customers’ personal data become an asset to be bought and sold. We’re seeing situations where companies are being bought primarily for this data, and when it is combined with information the purchasing company already holds, there’s a danger that consumers will have little control as datasets are matched and intrusive details revealed.

Facebook's various online mouthpieces are silent on the matter at the time of writing. ®

 

Similar topics

TIP US OFF

Send us news


Other stories you might like