Messaging application WhatsApp announced on Thursday changes to its privacy policy, where user’s phone numbers will be shared with its parent company Facebook allowing more adverts.
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WhatsApp founder Jan Koum claimed in a blog post that sharing user’s phone numbers with Facebook will give its users “more relevant” advertisements and friend suggestions as well as help combat spam and abusive messages.
The popular application assured it's more than one billion users that its messages would main private and encrypted. Phone numbers would not be sold or shared with other companies.
Many took to social media expressing their frustration and anger at the change, which many see as a violation of privacy.
WhatsApp was bought out in 2014 to join the “Facebook family of companies,” which also includes Instagram. At the time, WhatsApp and Koum said the buyout would not affect its privacy policy and would secure the data of its users.
WhatsApp users from Thursday were sent a notification with the application’s new terms of its privacy policy. Users will have 30 days to accept the changes if they want to continuing using the messaging service.
WhatsApp said that it would also change the way that businesses interact with customers.
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“You may receive flight status information for upcoming travel, a receipt for something you purchased, or a notification when a delivery will be made. Messages you may receive containing marketing could include an offer for something that might interest you.” the blog post read.
WhatsApp said users could choose not to share their phone number by unchecking the “share my account info” within the application's account settings.
The application is planning to expand its services to include video calling and charging business to reach relevant customers.