5 dangers when making WhatsApp video calls through Facebook Rooms

Group video calls are now available for WhatsApp users. But we are not only referring to video calls of 8 people, as could be done until now. Thanks to its integration with Facebook, which many doubt for privacy reasons, you can now take advantage of the new mass video calling service. Up to 50 users face to face, neither more nor less. All this taking advantage of Facebook RoomsBut what guarantees does this service offer to be used as is the case with the well-known Zoom? Will its format become popular compared to other alternatives? Is it safe to use it at work? What dangers can we find? Here we tell you about five of them that you should be aware of if you are thinking of implementing WhatsApp as a teleworking tool for video calls.

No protection in open rooms

Facebook Rooms has two room formats in which users can connect and show image and sound with up to 50 contacts One It is the private room, where the creator has the power to allow entry only to whom he or she wants. And on the other hand, there are the open rooms, which only need a link for anyone to connect to them. And when we say anyone, it means anyone.

This way, if due to ignorance or excessive confidence you create an open and public room and share the link with some friends, nothing stops them from sharing it with more peopleEven when those people have no relationship with the initial friend group or the creator of the room. Something that can be fun to meet new people, or become vulnerable to onlookers, spies or stalkers.

You will never know who that link can reach So we recommend that your mass experiences on WhatsApp with Facebook Rooms are always private, with protection and with a limited and controlled capacity at all times. Just to avoid greater evils.

Goodbye to privacy

Closely related to the above danger is the lack of privacy around Facebook rooms or romos. And, to be able to use it, you will have to have Facebook or Facebook Messenger installed and logged in on your mobile or in the web version on your computer.That is, your profile of that social network will be shown whether you want it or not.

You may only use this feature with friends and family, but if you want to keep WhatsApp and Facebook profiles as far apart as possible, we don't recommend using romos. Thanks to the photo or the name, the users with whom you share a video call will have a couple of clues when looking for you on the Facebook social network.

The alternative is to create a fake or professional profile to use this function Otherwise you will be giving clues to the members of the crowd video call. And if we add to this that anyone can join this activity in open rooms, we already have the perfect breeding ground for cyber bullying.

No end-to-end encryption

In recent years we have learned to trust WhatsApp.We are aware, somehow, that it is a safe application for users. So that we can share any content without there being security problems or third parties spying on the conversations. Sexting, work documents, personal information, bank details... run through WhatsApp chats knowing that if we trust the other person, nothing bad will happen. This is possible thanks to user-to-user or end-to-end encryption, or P2P A system that encrypts conversations so that, even if a third party steals part of the information that is sent between users, even in group chats, cannot be deciphered or known. Something that shields WhatsApp even from authorities such as the Police, government espionage, etc.

The downside is that, even if you enter one of the rooms through a WhatsApp link to chat with your friends, family or co-workers, this protection does not applies hereFacebook Rooms, at least for now, are not protected with end-to-end encryption. Another point for which it is convenient not to use this resource to share sensitive information of any kind or subject. You'll never know if someone is spying or if some detail has been leaked.

Limited controls

While Zoom has learned its lesson and fixed security bugs in just a few weeks, WhatsApp and Facebook are coming back with useful tools but not capable of everyone the areas And it is that controlling who enters and who leaves one of the rooms is useful, but it remains poor if there are no other options for reporting, censorship or simply controlling what is being discussed or who is talking.

Thus, Rooms or rooms allow only the creator of the room to have power over the people who participate in it At least insofar as to the private room. In this way, and only on this person, the responsibility and decision to expel anyone who enters the room without permission or is carrying out bad practices can fall.The rest of the members can denounce the room if the community norms are not being respected. But without collecting or demonstrating neither audio nor video for it. And without this implying the end of the video call. In addition to opening the door to possible abuse of crashing video calls for pleasure.

Again, practices that limit this experience to a limited group of people. Let them know and respect each other. Not so much to use it with anyone who accesses through the link or who is not a friend. Much less for the workplace, although these video calls and webinars are usually more respectful.

The rules are set by Facebook

This danger is more subjective and relative. Especially if we look at the context and history of Facebook on the control and privacy of the data of those who use its services. That has already been called into question on several occasions, beyond the Cambridge Analytica scandalAnd it seems that doing business with the data and interests of the users of its services is most profitable.

There is no reason to doubt Facebook Rooms or rooms per se. But that there is no encryption in video calls and that on the WhatsApp support website they make it so clear that once you go to a room you work on the terms and uses of Facebook , food for thought. One more recommendation to use this service only in a playful way and without exchanging private or sensitive data. Or not to use this tool in the field of work. Precautions that will allow us to enjoy this tool.