WhatsApp is being sued in German court over privacy terms, which linked to the way the messaging app is accumulating and sharing user data with Facebook. The German Consumer Group argued that WhatsApp's change of privacy terms in August was illegal.
The Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband (Federation of German Consumer Organizations) claimed that gathering and transferring user data between the platforms violated the consumer's right to privacy. It has triggered the data rules by European regulations.
Facebook, the owner of the messaging app, on the other hand, stated that the updated "Terms and Privacy Policy" were to improve the messaging platform and offering services, like fighting spam across the apps, sharing product suggestions and showing relevant offers or ads on its parent platform, which is Facebook.
Sharing users' information with Facebook, even if the consumers are not WhatsApp users is indeed offensive. The messaging platform users are given no option to stop sharing data entirely. This makes the watch group in the European Union agitated.
According to the CNET, WhatsApp has changed its privacy terms to coordinate with its parent company. A month after, the Hamburg Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information told Facebook to stop gathering and stockpiling WhatsApp data from 35 million German users.
In December, the European Commission ordered Facebook to stop spreading "incorrect or misleading information." In addition, it was revealed that both platforms are abusing users' trust, as noted on the Phone Arena.
Facebook repeatedly stated that WhatsApp's "Terms and Privacy Policy" updates abide by the guidelines issued by EU regulators. The social media platform also claimed that they are giving users a clear and simple explanation of how their service works and the platforms remain committed to giving the simplest, fastest and most reliable experience on WhatsApp.
WhatsApp is a cross-platform instant messaging that allows smartphone users to exchange text and audio messages. It also features image sharing and video sharing for free, as well as calling features.
