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UK Privacy Watchdog Says Facebook Agrees To Suspend Using WhatsApp Users' Data (reuters.com)

Posted by msmash on from the compliance-with-authority dept.

Facebook's decision to change WhatsApp's privacy policy hasn't gone down well with many. While Facebook didn't even flinch when several people requested that the company shouldn't break its original promise of not sharing any data with Facebook, the social juggernaut has -- for whatever reason -- decided to comply with Britain's privacy watchdog's advisory. The watchdog said Monday that Facebook has agreed to suspend using data from UK users of its WhatsApp app. From a Reuters report: The watchdog said the social media giant faces action if it uses such data without valid consent. The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) had said in August that it would monitor WhatsApp's new privacy policy, after WhatsApp, acquired by Facebook in 2014, said it would share user data with its parent company. "We're pleased that they've agreed to pause using data from UK WhatsApp users for advertisements or product improvement purposes," the head of ICO, Elizabeth Denham, said in a statement. "If Facebook starts using the data without valid consent, they may face enforcement action from my office," she said. The regulator said it had also asked Facebook and WhatsApp to sign an undertaking committing to better explaining to customers how their data would be used and to give them ongoing control over the information. However, the companies have so far not agreed.

1 of 18 comments (clear)

  1. Data protection. by ledow · · Score: 4, Informative

    "For whatever reason"

    It's called breaking the fucking law otherwise.

    Data Protection Act attracts huge fines and is very clear about what is personal data, what you can do with it (nothing without explicit permission), and who's responsible if they don't.

    When they are fining HOSPITALS hundreds of thousands of pounds for failing to protect even the most basic data, Facebook would have been on the receiving end of millions of pounds worth of fines almost instantly.

    Yet again, EU and UK data protection law is well-worded and will bite you in the arse. Something the US doesn't seem to understand.