WhatsApp to share user data with Facebook, opt-out option available

Messaging app WhatsApp has announced a big change to its privacy policy according to which it would start sharing some user data — including phone number — with parent company Facebook. The two companies say the new policy will help you find friends and "improve your Facebook ads and products experiences," but it will also give businesses a new avenue to reach potential customers, with WhatsApp describing situations where banks and airlines will use your phone number to get in touch about fraudulent payments or delayed flights.

The app is quick to add that WhatsApp, Facebook or anyone won’t ever be able to read your messages, as they are E2E encrypted by default. In addition to this, WhatsApp has promised that it won't sell or share that number with advertisers or introduce any third-party banner ads on its platform. However, if you still don’t want to put your phone number or other data in open for privacy concerns, don’t worry, you ‘can’ stop WhatsApp from doing so. There are two ways to do so.

Firstly, instead of clicking "agree" on the T&Cs page blindly, press the smaller "read more" option below, and uncheck the box that reads "Share my WhatsApp account information with Facebook..."

But if you have already accepted the terms and conditions, fret not, you've still got 30 days to opt out. Head to the app's settings menu, and then press the account tab. From there, you can uncheck the box reading "Share my account info" to stop providing Facebook with your user data.