Thread by @privacyint

WhatsApp's notification to accept its new policy or lose your account is wrong on so many levels we need a short thread to talk about it

🧵👇 1/9

First this goes to show how much Facebook values their users' data over their users.

"Accept our data grab or get out" is pretty far from what consent should look like under laws like GDPR 2/9

Truth is, Facebook probably just wants your phone number 📱 (if they don't already have it) and your contacts's names and numbers. They've used dubious methods to get it in the past and this could be another way to obtain it 3/9

privacyinternational.org/report/3025/fa…

Why would they want phone numbers so badly? Because they're great globally unique identifiers. Remember: first and foremost Facebook is an advertising company. Your attention is the product 4/9

(BTW we've got great guides on how to limit targeted ads on Facebook, and tweak your privacy settings on WhatsApp if you really need to keep using them 🤫 privacyinternational.org/facebook-guides ) 5/9

Second, this is further proof that the promises @Facebook made to the EU when buying WhatsApp are long gone.

If you need a reminder: ec.europa.eu/commission/pre…
6/9

@Facebook This reflects badly on the European Commission, who've just approved the Google-Fitbit merger. Should we expect the same level of commitment from Google? 🤷‍♂️

privacyinternational.org/legal-action/e…

7/9

@Facebook Third, this is problematic for a number of users and organisations using WhatsApp for sensitive purposes, as it means your data could now be in the hands of an additional player.

For example: english.alarabiya.net/en/features/20… 8/9

@Facebook We are concerned that this announcement may push people - especially vulnerable populations - off the platform, back to using insecure communication methods such as SMS and email. The value of E2EE cannot be overstated. 9/9