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WhatsApp To Share Some Data With Facebook (bloomberg.com)
Two years ago when Facebook bought WhatsApp, the instant messaging client said that the deal would not affect the digital privacy of its users. Things are changing now, WhatsApp said Thursday. The Facebook-owned app will share with the company some member information, as well as some analytics data of its users. Bloomberg reports: WhatsApp announced a change to its privacy policy today that allows businesses to communicate with users. The messages could include appointment reminders, delivery and shipping notifications or marketing material, the company said in its revised terms of service. In a blog post, WhatsApp said it will be testing these business features over the coming months. The strategy is an important step for Facebook as it attempts to make money from its most expensive acquisition. In addition to the messages from businesses, WhatsApp said it would begin sharing more information about its users with the "Facebook family." The data, including a person's phone number, could be used to better targets ads when browsing Facebook or Instagram, WhatsApp said.
It's even more insidious that that....FB creates "dark profiles", these are profiles on people who don't even have or want accounts. For example you go to visit your 80 year old mother who's not on FB, but you mention the fact that you're going to visit in a post.... they create her as a "dark profile". every time someone mentions her in a post, they continue to data mine and aggregate attributes... age, geographic location, income, relatives, what she likes, gifts given,... etc. You post a selfie with her while visiting - now they have facial recognition to add to the profile - all for marketing purposes and clearly without her consent.