WhatsApp routes for targeted adverts

ITRealms:

Acclaimed global messaging service (GMS) known as WhatsApp has disclosed plans to share the phone numbers of its users with Facebook, its parent company with undertone to show targeted adverts, reports ITRealms.

This follows the recent acquisition of WhatsApp by Facebook in October 2014, to the tune of $21.9bn, about N6,872,450,000,000 trillion.

The latest disclosure on sharing of WhatsApp users’ mobile phone numbers, ITRealms gathered means WhatsApp users would soon start to see more targeted ads and Facebook friend suggestions on Facebook based on WhatsApp information.

This, industry watchers said may not be on the messaging service itself but for the likes of web version of WhatsApp.

According to the Associated Press (AP), the move is a subtle but significant shift for WhatsApp, used by over a 1 billion people across the world.

ITRealms recalls that at the time of acquisition by Facebook for an eye-popping $21.8 billion two years ago, executives promised privacy would be safeguarded.

"This is a strong-arm tactic on the part of Facebook," said Jeff Chester, executive director of the Center for Digital Democracy in Washington, D.C. "They continue on a campaign on to run roughshod on our privacy rights."

AP further revealed that WhatsApp is giving users a limited time to opt out of sharing their information with Facebook, although warranting their extra step of unchecking a box to do so.

WhatsApp officials hinted that Facebook would not post phone numbers online or give them 

out to anyone.

Nenye Dom/GEE
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