Privacy fears over WhatsApp terms of service

NEW DELHI: WhatsApp has updated its terms of services and privacy policy, making it mandatory for users to share their data with its parent company, Facebook. Before this update, users could choose not to share their WhatsApp information with Facebook.

The move, according to digital rights activists, will dilute users’ privacy and maximise data collection. India is one of WhatsApp’s biggest markets with over 400 million users.

Cybersecurity expert Jiten Jain told TOI that while WhatsApp has given its users a “take it or leave it” option, the updated terms and conditions clearly indicate that it is the “end of so-called privacy on the platform”.