Facebook cannot use the information of WhatsApp users
The purchase process of the application WhatsApp by Facebookcontinues its way through the legal procedures of United States, where both companies are based. A process in which the FTC or Federal Trade Commission in Spanish has a lot to do with it , the body in charge of regulating trade to avoid monopoly, among other possible problems, and that has approved the transactionOf course, warning of the promises that both companies have made about the privacy and security of user information
Thus, after receiving the approval of this trade body, the FTC has published a warning letter addressed to both to Facebook as to WhatsApp A document that the specialized media have echoed by emphasizing what they can and cannot do with the information from WhatsApp users, now that it is owned by Facebook And it is that not everything goes, even more after the recent declarations of intent and privacy policies that both companies have made, in addition to the notorious espionage scandals that have frightened the most jealous users of their privacy.
This document signed by Director of the FTC's Office of Consumer Protection, Jessica Rich, recalls that the completion of the process purchase is not a reason to stop following the guidelines that both companies followed to protect the privacy and data of users. In addition, it ensures that the FTC will closely monitor the operation of its services to prevent the fifth article of this body from being violated by any unfair practice.
And it is that WhatsApp has made it very clear from the beginning that the only thing that was going to change after its acquisition byFacebook was “nothing”. Which is added to a series of very clear points that form its privacy policies reformulated in 2012 to protect its users. They state that WhatsApp does not collect the names, addresses, or other contact information of its users.No information is collected about your location or, of course, the messages that are sent. they exchange through their service. They also state not to sell information to other companies or use the phone number for commercial purposes. Something that now they must continue to respect even despite belonging to Facebook
Thus, another of the points that the document of the FTC clarifies is that, in case of modifying these policies to give access to Facebook to some kind of information from users of WhatsApp, the company should give theoption for users to refuse to do so or, as a last resort, to be able to cancel the service and stop using it before the information handover occurs. Questions that should relax the nerves of those users frightened by the unfounded fear that Facebook knows their conversations, photos or information.At least now it is known that a state agency will be on the lookout so that this does not happen, even if it is not the most effective measure.
