Given that Facebook owns WhatsApp, we expect that eventually both platforms would cross paths with each other. A couple of years ago it was revealed that WhatsApp had plans to share its user data with Facebook which resulted in a huge outcry amongst its users and privacy advocates around the world.
The good news is that it looks like for now, WhatsApp will be backing off on their plans to share data with Facebook. This is according to the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office in which they have announced that they have reached a truce with Facebook/Whatsapp, where they will be closing their investigation against the companies and that they have come to an agreement over the data sharing controversy.
However note that this is only temporary because according to Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham, it is possible that personal data could still be shared if it falls under the compliance of the upcoming General Data Protection Regulation which will be coming into effect this May.
This means that should Facebook and WhatsApp’s personal data sharing be compliant with the regulation, then there will be no issues. According to Denham, “Data protection law does not prevent a company from sharing personal data – they just have to follow the legal requirements.” For now it seems that if there is any user data to be shared, it can only be done for basic data processing.
Filed in . Read more about Facebook, Legal, Privacy and Whatsapp.