Security News > 2021 > January > WhatsApp Delays Controversial 'Data-Sharing' Privacy Policy Update By 3 Months

WhatsApp said on Friday that it wouldn't enforce its recently announced controversial data sharing policy update until May 15.

The Facebook-owned company has since repeatedly clarified that the update does not expand its ability to share personal user chats or other profile information with Facebook and is instead simply providing further transparency about how user data is collected and shared when using the messaging app to interact with businesses.

"The update includes new options people will have to message a business on WhatsApp, and provides further transparency about how we collect and use data," WhatsApp said in a post.

"While not everyone shops with a business on WhatsApp today, we think that more people will choose to do so in the future and it's important people are aware of these services. This update does not expand our ability to share data with Facebook."

Under the proposed terms - which are about how businesses manage their chats on WhatsApp using Facebook's hosting services - WhatsApp would share additional data with Facebook such as phone number, service-related information, IP address, and transaction data for those who use the business chat feature.

With the company walking back some of its previous messaging, it remains to be seen if the extra time will help it tide over the controversy and "Clear up the misinformation around how privacy and security works on WhatsApp."

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