author: Bart Swiatek
WhatsApp Claims it Doesn't Know Your Location; Terms and Conditions Say Otherwise
WhatsApp is trying to deal with the image crisis caused by the recent update of terms and conditions. The company has published an infographic to explain the situation to the users. Unfortunately, it looks like there was incorrect information on it.
IN A NUTSHELL:
- To reassure users after the recent change in terms and conditions, WhatsApp created an infographic that states, among other things, what data is not sent to Facebook;
- A comparison of the image with the terms and conditions themselves reveals that not all the information contained in the inforgraphic is true.
WhatsApp faced an uphill battle lately, directly related to the controversial change in terms and conditions that enables the app to share user data with its parent company, Facebook. The creators of the app decided to clarify any misunderstandings by creating an infographic - it does not say what WhatsApp shares with Mark Zuckerberg's concern, but it explains what data is not being sent to it and what is not collected. Unfortunately, it looks like not everything we can read in the image is true (via XDA).
The source of the problem is the part about sharing user's location info. The text on the infographic informs that "WhatsApp, like Facebook, can't see the your shared location." The problem is, this sentence blatantly contradicts terms and conditions, which state the following:
"We collect and use precise location information from your device with your permission when you choose to use location-related features, like when you decide to share your location with your contacts or view locations nearby or locations others have shared with you. There are certain settings relating to location-related information which you can find in your device settings or the in-app settings, such as Location sharing. Even if you do not use our location-related features, we use IP addresses and other information, like phone number area codes, to estimate your general location (e.g., city and country). We also use your location information for diagnostics and troubleshooting purpose."
To make matters worse, in the next section of the quoted terms of service, the company says that location data is shared with Facebook, as well as other companies.
"We work with third-party service providers and other Facebook Companies to help us operate, provide, improve, understand, customise, support, and market our Services. For example, we work with them to distribute our apps; provide our technical and physical infrastructure, delivery, and other systems; provide engineering support, cybersecurity support, and operational support; supply location, map, and places information; process payments; help us understand how people use our Services," it reads.
It should be noted that the quoted passages come from the European version of the terms of service, which means that on the Old Continent the situation is identical as in the US.
It looks like someone at WhatsApp needs to prepare for another round of explanations, and the infographic that was supposed to help put out the PC fire, may just have added more fuel to the blaze.
