WhatsApp will share more user data with Facebook
WhatsApp says the move will enable it to better integrate with other Facebook products and services, but there are privacy concerns
WhatsApp will share more user data with Facebook
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Source: Harish Jonnalagadda / Windows Central
Facebook acquired WhatsApp back in February 2014 for a staggering $19 billion. At that time, the service had 500 million users; it now boasts over 2 billion users today.
Facebook tried a lot of methods to monetize WhatsApp over the years, introducing business accounts to allow brands to chat with customers and even turning the platform into an e-commerce destination. That said, the app was left as its own entity, and Facebook didn t meddle too much into the core service itself.
That s changing now. WhatsApp has updated its privacy policy, and the new terms requires users to share data with Facebook as well as its associated companies, including Facebook Payments, Onavo (a web analytics service and controversial VPN), and CrowdTangle (a social analytics tool). The data that will be shared with Facebook and its companies as part of the new terms includes the following:
Animated Emojis!:
Telegram
Staff Pick
Telegram is supported by all major platforms, and it is perhaps the next most popular open-source messenger besides WhatsApp. There s no video calling ability, but you can text across platforms simultaneously and make clear voice calls with ease. Available are groups with up to 200,000 people, robust file-sharing abilities, self-erasing messages, and the proprietary end-to-end encryption you want to keep your privacy intact. Telegram is free.See at Telegram
Video Calls Galore:
Signal
If you can t give up encrypted video calls, you ll want to check out Signal. It employs open-source encryption for your texts, voice calls, and video calls, allowing you to communicate exactly how you d like. No animated emojis here, but even the stickers are encrypted. Share GIFs, videos, and photos easily with the intuitive design. Signal works across all major platforms and includes group chats for up to 150 members. Signal is free.See at Signal
Pay With Your Phone
cashless and
contactless have entered the vernacular. Like other tech areas, digital transactions have taken on greater importance in the face of the current COVID-19 health crisis. You no longer have to dig into your pocket and withdraw virus-covered bills and coins or even your credit card and hand them to a cashier. Instead, just pay with your smartphone. Not only can you pay this way at Macy s or McDonald s, but you can also pay your friends and acquaintances for outings, goods, or services. You can also use many of the apps included here to pay on web stores and within some apps.