Is What's app going to reveal your Privacy?

 

Is What's app going to reveal your Privacy?

In the present scenario, there is a lot going on whats app policy update, everybody wants to know, “what the heck is going on the internet?” Everyone is sharing their views and opinion on this. This policy update is going too serious now. You all have come across posts and articles about the same. Am, right?

The major concern that comes out of this all issue is that people are worried about their privacy.

But I don't think that suddenly privacy is the issue, it is more about how you have used the freedom of expressing yourself on the internet.

You know why I am saying “there is a difference between what you are willing to share and what you are bound to share (accept if you want to use)”?

Privacy was long sacrifice when we started to use the internet for granted and unknowingly accepting cookies of sites, accepting terms and conditions of different sites, allowing the various applications to grant permission at the time of installation, clicking on the different links on the internet, through messages and complaint about the mishaps occurred following such events. 

Because, if you are on the Internet then almost all of you, have shared many of your images and pictures on different social media platforms, every single day and probably update your location with the post. You shared all of your best life moments on social media or on the internet.

All these were your own choice and you were aware of the pros and cons of such sharing in public domains.

But now look into the new update and how your willingness is turned into boundation?

Let's have a look that what is the new policy of What's app?

In a very simple term-

WhatsApp’s new privacy policy notes that when users rely on “third-party services or other Facebook Company Products that are integrated with our Services, those third-party services may receive information about what you or others share with them.”

Now the two most common questions come from people?

1.    Will WhatsApp share your messages with Facebook?

The answer is NO.(with a clause)

The privacy policy does not change the way WhatsApp treats personal chats. WhatsApp remains end-to-end encrypted — no third party can read them. In a statement, WhatsApp said: “The update does not change WhatsApp’s data-sharing practices with Facebook and does not impact how people communicate privately with friends or family… WhatsApp remains deeply committed to protecting people’s privacy.”

2.    What data will WhatsApp share with Facebook?

WhatsApp shares the following information with Facebook and its other companies: 

a.account registration information (phone number), (never use your number registered with banking and other important for surfing internet)

b.transaction data (WhatsApp now has payments in India), (don't know why people trust on non-banking apps for transactions, all bank related information will be shared with Facebook clearly mentioned)

c.service-related information, information on how you interact with others (including businesses), doesn't it mean evaluating your chats, which means someone is monitoring your chats every time. {Facebook recently stopped a suicide near Mumbai because they were monitoring the feeds}

c.mobile device information, (which implies more access to hardware and software of mobile, installed apps information will be shared so those using sensitive apps like mobile banking apps are now more vulnerable and are at the risk of hacking. Most important is, they already have the access to your gallery, messages, and storage space which can be now shared with anyone whom they want)

d.IP address. (easier for a hacker to hack in, sharing IP address is just like giving your house address and house key to anyone, either you trust or don’t trust the person)

Note:-It is also collecting more information at a device hardware-level now. (any time they can install or install any apps on your phone)

And you know what? What's app and many apps are doing this for so long time? It is not the first time that they share your data with Facebook or others. The only difference is now they are telling you. That's it!!

New policy update means “EXPOSING” yourself to more internet vulnerability, scams happen only because of ignorance, sharing data to an extent is acceptable but beyond that, I am no consumer of such a thing.

It is also true when you get something for free then the product is you, advise others not to be a “PRODUCT”, because in the end, we can't blame for our lack of interest in our own negligence and be easy prey for hackers.

So what we can do now, what are the options we have:

For me simple three-step formula:-

1. Use incognito mode for internet banking while using chrome.

2. Never save your login credentials on any site.

3. Never use your data that is used in important documents to verify on social platforms.

Note:-. if possible have separate mobiles for banking apps

I hope now you will understand this issue. Let me know your thoughts on this.

Have a great day.