Zuck gets tough just as Germany blocks privacy policy roll-out
WhatsApp users who refuse to make some of their personal information available to Facebook’s internet empire will slowly but surely be cut off from the chat app, the social network has confirmed. In January, WhatsApp users were told if they wanted to keep using the software, they must agree to an updated fine print that allows their data to be passed onto not only WhatsApp’s parent Facebook but also its subsidiaries as and when decided by the tech giant. This information includes names, profile pictures, status updates, phone numbers, contacts lists, and details about mobile devices and connections, though not the contents of encrypted messages and calls. Those who did not accept the terms and conditions would not be allowed to use the application from February. After a surge in interest in alternative messaging systems, such as Signal and Telegram, in response to this ultimatum, Facebook backed down on the February deadline, and then returned swinging. For the past few weeks it has popped up alerts in WhatsApp attempting to explain the data sharing, and now it says netizens must play ball or lose out. Folks who don’t agree to the terms won’t be cut off from the application immediately. Instead, after several weeks they’ll be shown «persistent reminders» and suffer a degradation of service.
