WhatsApp: these are the data stored by the app in Europe

WhatsApp has belonged to the Facebook group of companies since 2014, but never since now have users of the platform shown such a legitimate concern for their personal data. All after the company expressed its willingness to apply the new privacy policy, changes that it postponed from February to May 15, 2015.

There is a partial redefinition of the scope of data that WhatsApp will share with Facebook, with the company trying to stabilize and calm its users in the face of what it considers to be “misinformation”, or mere tabloids, especially in Europe. It should be noted that in the European Union, as a result of the GDPR, user information is seriously protected,

WhatsApp data shared with Facebook

Anyone interested in knowing what information WhatsApp shares with Facebook – in the European Union – note that the platform’s Privacy Policy differs considerably inside and outside the European space, so you know.

• Username or nickname
• The user’s phone number
• IP addresses used
• Various data relating to the user’s mobile devices

These are the main data – aggregated in the four points mentioned above – that WhatsApp shares with “Facebook entities”. In the Twitter post above we see the information that WhatsApp claims not to share with Mark Zuckerberg’s group of companies – globally (inside and outside the European Union).

“WhatsApp must receive or collect some information so that it can work, provide, improve, understand, personalize, support and advertise our Services, even when you install, access or use them”, it can be read in the version European Privacy Policy for WhatsApp.

GDPR prevents WhatsApp account deactivation

Contrary to what was falsely propagated in some tabloids, in the European Region, users who refuse the new WhatsApp Terms of Service will not see their account deleted or deactivated. Outside the European Union, however, this is true.

It can also be said that since 2016, this data exchange with Facebook was practiced, as we announced in 4gnews. On the other hand, on that occasion it was possible to reject this sharing of data from the Options of the WhatsApp application.

What changes from May 15? For users outside the EU, this sharing that took place since 2016 is no longer optional. It becomes mandatory if you want to continue using WhatsApp services. In case of refusal, the account will be disabled.

For the European user, for those who use WhatsApp in UK, thanks to the GDPR nothing changes. Your account will not be deactivated whether or not you accept the terms that will come into effect on May 15, 2021.

Fed up with WhatsApp? There are good alternatives like Signal and Telegram

The panic sown by various media also served to wake the user up. Never before have we asked ourselves so much about what is done with our information, where it goes and who has access to it.

Immediately, the WhatsApp scandal catapulted the main alternatives like Signal and Telegram to the top of the tables in the Google Play Store and App Store.

Signal welcomes the preference of the European Commission and has already strengthened its servers considerably. In addition, this is also the platform as endorsement by Edward Snowden, placing it slightly above Telegram in terms of privacy.

WhatsApp remains the most widely used communications platform in the world, according to data provided by Statista, more than two billion users use the Facebook platform (data from March 2020).

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