Since a few weeks ago, if you are a WhatsApp user, an indirect Facebook one, you will have received an “accept” message: I want to “steals your data” to do with them what they want. At least, that’s what I understand I have to accept!
WhatsApp y Facebook, perfect complements
Several years ago when Facebook bought the emerging WhatsApp startup, a web application that was well received by the public for its ease in having conversations with your contacts. In a small amount of time, WhatsApp became a new means of communication, alternative to the phone call, almost replacing the SMS or MMS!
At first, the application had a small cost, but the success was such that it ended up being a unicorn, and acquired by Facebook in view of the potential and success of the application.
The acquisition made both of them perfect complements: Facebook provides the “advertising company”, while WhatsApp provides geolocalized clients.
Facebook is a marketing company
For many people, Facebook is a social network where you can connect with your friends, share photos, share news, …. Indirectly it was becoming a “monster” to collect a lot of information from all users, and that were not few: names, phones, friends, tastes (thanks to the Likes!), ….
And with that data, they redirected them in the form of targeted advertising: nothing that Google didn’t also do (which is not just a search engine, Alphabet is an marketing company as well).
Facebook’s scandals
In a short time Facebook went from being a social network with a good purpose, to being something more ambitious. For me, at that point, it stopped being interesting: it was only interested in data for advertising, forgetting “its initial objective”.
Facebook had been abandoned to its fate the goal that made it successful.
The sale of data has brought Mark Zuckerberg a lot of heartache, scandals of many data breaches, and a lot of money in between.
I’m very surprised that people are still loyal to Facebook, just to remind you of your friends’ birthdays (even if you’ve never seen them in your life), or photos from X years ago. Facebook doesn’t provide anything anymore, except misinformation.
in my opinion … Facebook violates your privacy
And now, stealing your WhatsApp’s data to give them to Facebook
The incredible thing about the new conditions (which you won’t read) required by the use of WhatsApp is a clear statement of intent to “monetize” its dominant position in the chat application market, supported by Facebook.
It makes it very clear to you: WhatsApp must receive or collect some information to operate, provide, improve, understand, customize, support, and market our Services, including when you install, access, or use our Services..
And how it has phone numbers and geolocation, mixed with everything that Facebook brings, the cocktail can be terrible. And the algorithms of Artificial Intelligence, …. He explains it very well later: iinformation such as hardware model, operating system information, battery level, signal strength, app version, browser information, mobile network, connection information (including phone number, mobile operator or ISP), language and time zone, IP address, device operations information, and identifiers (including identifiers unique to Facebook Company Products associated with the same device or account).
I have no idea about Artificial Intelligence algorithms, because I’m focused on other topics, but I’m sure you can infer a looooooooooooot of things.
The most serious problem with the conditions is that … you accept what they tell you without complaining or protesting, or you won’t be able to use their application. That’s what it takes to be in a dominant position! Take it or leave it!
As much as I try to get my contacts to use Telegram, WhatsApp is the absolute winner. Although, I have more and more conversations outside WhatsApp with people who are slowly becoming aware of their privacy.
Explicit consent to steal data
Certainly, the exchange of data between the companies in the Facebook group already takes place, but now, it is explicit that the users accept it.
I, would prefer to continue thinking that …. what is not known does not exist
Now, Facebook makes clear its intentions: $$$$$$$$$
I will continue to “try” to work with FB Group products, even at the risk of knowing that, if you are not there, you do not exist. I’m sure the blog would be more successful if it were present in InstaGram, but … for now, I’m not getting involved … maybe some other time.
And so far, my view on the new WhatsApp policy, Facebook and the theft of your data.
PD: Given the mess, it seems that FB have delayed until May to the justification by the users, but go, that …. the “theft of your privacy” the something that is known!