WhatsApp Data Snatch - Fake News Foul Cries Facebook

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Facebook has cake on its face over WhatsApp business usage permissions - though when The Installer & The Fabricator contacted WhatsApp - the firm said it was the victim of fake news (oh the irony!)

Meanwhile, David Homan, a data security expert is suspicious of what the folk at Facebook are up to and says consumer grade communications tools may put your business at risk of a data breach.

OK - so what does Holman say? He is a director and co-founder of Armour Comms which is big on securing data from criminals: "We are seeing a worrying trend where tech behemoths are moving data away from the EU and back to the US, possibly, to avoid stringent GDPR data regulations. WhatsApp has recently introduced a new policy for users outside of the EU where users are forced to agree to share their personal information with other Facebook companies.”

Holman quotes a deadline: “The original deadline for providing this permission was 8th February, after which time dissenting users would no longer be able to use the App. Due to public outcry and a mass exodus to other messaging platforms, the deadline has now been postponed to later in the year. However, we can see the direction of travel. Users who already have privacy settings blocking sharing of their information will retain that protection but for anyone else they could be giving up personal information such as names, profile pictures, status updates, phone numbers, contact lists, IP addresses, mobile device model, operating system, network carrier, etc. and – if you engage with businesses via the App – sensitive details such as shipping addresses and the amount of money spent on orders.”

 

More time for the update

A spokesperson for WhatsApp countered: "There is much confusion around our recent update. WhatsApp was built on a simple idea - what you share with your friends and family stays between you - WhatsApp and Facebook can't see these private messages...or logs of who everyone’s messaging or calling. We also can’t see your shared location and we don’t share your contacts with Facebook.

"With the useage updates, none of that is changing. Instead, the update includes new options people will have to message a business on WhatsApp and provides further transparency about how we collect and use data. While not everyone shops with a business on WhatsApp today, we think that more people will choose to do so in the future and it’s important people are aware of these services.

This update does not expand our ability to share data with Facebook.

"We’ll now contact people gradually before new business options are available on May 15 - but I reiterate they apply to how you and businesses communicate only."

 

Not good enough for business

Holman says: "At the moment, the UK’s data protection laws mirror those of GDPR. For this reason alone, WhatsApp, and some other consumer-grade, social media messaging platforms, are not suitable for business use – and never have been and this is not just according to me, it is also the advice of bodies such as the Finance Conduct Authority.

 

[N.B. The Installer & The Fabricator cannot endorse the comments of Mr Holman or WhatsApp. However, we are aware that WhatsApp's current user agreement is aimed at individuals and thus if you are using the service for business purposes you may well be contradicting the terms of that agreement.]

 

Facebook looking for ROI?

Holman continues: "When Facebook acquired WhatsApp in 2014 it stated that it would not look to monetise the WhatsApp user base for five years. Those five years are now passed and it is to be expected that Facebook will look to recoup its investment (some $22 billion). it initiated this with their drive to get businesses taking orders and providing support to customers over WhatsApp and all that information could end up stored on Facebook’s servers if businesses opt to store it there. While WhatsApp currently states that contact details will not be shared with Facebook for advertising purposes, they could be in future.

 

Data fallout from Brexit

"Just before Christmas we saw a story that Facebook is moving the responsibility and legal obligations for UK users from its operations in Dublin to the US, due to Brexit and the UK’s changing relationship with the EU, albeit they also regard the UK as still being part of their 'EU region'. Google made a similar announcement earlier in the year.

"This latest change to its terms and conditions indicates Facebook’s ongoing intention to monetise its users, potentially opening up its options for dealing with UK users’ data, particularly in the advent of a UK and US trade deal, that includes handling data."

www.armourcomms.com/whatsapp-white-paper-request/

 

Picture: Anyone for cake or anything else on the menu. The WhatsApp service for individuals to order from a business is best suited to 'store counters' and catalogues where people can quickly see what’s available; organise 'chats' around particular items and then place an order in a Cart. The service launched before Christmas and during Covid and has reportedly worked well.

WhatsApp have not reported a trade counter using the service but says that type of outlet may find it ideal.

"With carts, people can browse a catalogue, select multiple products and send the order as one message to the business. This will make it simpler for businesses to keep track of order inquiries, manage requests from customers and close sales," our spokesperson told us - with the reminder this is currently an individual to business platform and not a business to business platform.

Article written by Cathryn Ellis
18th February 2021

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