German regulator orders Facebook to cease collecting German WhatsApp usersâ data
News about Whatsappâs controversial policy changes pertaining to data collection involving Facebook have been causing a stir ever since WhatsApp tried to give users an ultimatum regarding data collection. In recent news, WhatsApp will slowly withhold features of the app until users agree to the new terms. In the latest development, Facebook faces scrutiny from German regulators.
In a new release written up by Johannes Caspar, Hamburg Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information in Germany outlines issues found with WhatsAppâs updated privacy policy. Caspar claims the issues are not legal in accordance with the GDPR regulations that were set in place for all companies holding data about customers, users, or employees. The following is an excerpt from the release, machine translated from German:
Germany bans Facebook from using WhatsApp data over privacy concerns
Germany’s leading data protection regulator for Facebook has banned the social network from using data from WhatsApp users, Euronews reports.
It follows controversy of the messaging app’s latest privacy terms which the authority believes are illegal.
The move follows emergency discussions in Hamburg after WhatsApp asked users to consent to the new terms or stop using it.
WhatsApp is used by almost 60 million users in Germany.
Johannes Caspar, head of the Data Protection Authority in Hamburg said: “This order seeks to secure the rights and freedoms of the many millions of users who give their consent to the terms of use throughout Germany.
Agree to WhatsApp’s new privacy policy or else, says Facebook
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Facebook Inc. announced today that WhatsApp users won’t lose their account completely if they don’t agree to its new privacy policy right away, but the company has made many users an offer they might not be able to refuse.
WhatsApp said on its FAQ page that users won’t have their accounts deleted on May 15 if they haven’t ticked the box, but at some point after that, they’ll be met with a permanent screen asking them to accept the new terms of service.
Then users will experience limited features, although Facebook said this won’t happen to everyone at the same time. When it does happen, users won’t be able to access their chat list, but will be able to pick up incoming phone and video calls. “After a few weeks of limited functionality, you won’t be able to receive incoming calls or notifications and WhatsApp will stop sending messages and calls to your phone,” sai
Facebook Banned From Processing Personal Data of WhatsApp Users by German Regulator
WhatsApp says the claims of the German regulator are wrong and does not affect the proposed rollout of its new privacy policy. By Reuters | Updated: 12 May 2021 10:36 IST
WhatsApp said the action by Hamburg data protection authority rested on a fundamental misunderstanding
Highlights
The regulatory action has opened a new front in Germany
Since 2018, online privacy has been subject to a European Union rulebook
Germany s lead data protection regulator for Facebook is banning the social network from processing personal data from WhatsApp users because it views the messaging app s new terms of use as illegal, it said on Tuesday.