The cross platform messaging service WhatsApp, is in hot waters after its decision to share user data with parent Facebook, met with criticisms form the privacy groups.
These groups have decided to take the matters in their own hand and have decided to lodge a complaint against the messaging giant. The privacy group called the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) is of the view that that Facebook and WhatsApp have violated the user privacy commitment promised back in 2014, reported Hot Hardware.
The group is planning to file a complaint for allegedly violating the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) act.
In a letter to FTC, EPIC states: “WhatsApp's privacy policy clearly states, among other things, that users' information will not be used for advertising purposes or sold to a third party for commercial or marketing use without the users' consent. Facebook's purchase of WhatsApp would not nullify these promises and WhatsApp and Facebook would continue to be bound by them.”
WhatsApp on the other hand provided reasoning behind its move stated that it needs to share limited data with Facebook to help with the friend finder feature, and also to improve user-business relations.
“By connecting your phone number with Facebook's systems, Facebook can offer better friend suggestions and show you more relevant ads if you have an account with them. For example, you might see an ad from a company you already work with, rather than one from someone you've never heard of,” WhatsApp stated on Thursday.
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