WhatsApp and Facebook to share information: Here’s how you can opt out

In WhatsApp on iOS, go to Settings>Account and at the bottom there is a slider called ‘Share My Account Info.’ Uncheck that if you don’t wish for WhatsApp to share your information with Facebook. WhatsApp says if a user picks ‘Don’t Share’ they won’t be able to change it in the future.

The app was first released in 2010 and has seen many updates over the years, but the last change in terms and privacy policy was back in 2012. WhatsApp was purchased by Facebook two years ago, and the latest change in its terms is a reflection of WhatsApp’s business being properly integrated with Facebook.

With the new update, users are prompted with a message stating that the Terms and Privacy Policy of WhatsApp have changed. This new policy has to be agreed to before you can continue the use of the app.

Also read: Copyrighted material on WhatsApp could land you in trouble

The new policy allows WhatsApp to share your account info with Facebook, which the app claims is to improve advertisement and product experience on Facebook. The new policy also states WhatsApp will start sharing some data with Facebook, which includes your mobile number.  WhatsApp in an online FAQ said, “We will share some of your account information with Facebook and the Facebook family of companies, like the phone number you verified when you registered with WhatsApp, as well as the last time you used our service.”

But WhatsApp insists it won’t be sharing personal messages, chats, photos, videos sent on the app with Facebook. However, for users who don’t want account information to be shared with Facebook, the option is there, at least for now.