Watchdogs investigate Whatsapp for deciding to hand over your phone numbers to Facebook
When WhatsApp was sold in a deal worth more than £16billion in 2014, it vowed data would be protected
WATCHDOGS are probing WhatsApp’s decision to share data including phone numbers with its owners Facebook.
The firms said the privacy policy change would help the social network better target adverts and suggest phone contacts as friends.
It said the service could be used by banks to notify customers of possible fraud or by airlines to report delays.
The chat app announced it would start sharing information with the “Facebook family of companies” but would not make data public or share it with advertisers.
It also promised users’ conversations would remain encrypted.
But critics said that when WhatsApp was sold in a deal worth more than £16billion in 2014, it vowed data would be protected.
The US Federal Trade Commission has warned breaking this pledge could be a violation of its guidelines.
Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham said: "The changes WhatsApp and Facebook are making will affect a lot of people. Some might consider it'll give them a better service, others may be concerned by the lack of control.
"Our role is to pull back the curtain on things like this, ensuring that companies are being transparent with the public about how their personal data is being shared, and protecting consumers by making sure the law is being followed.
"We've been informed of the changes. Organisations do not need to get prior approval from the ICO to change their approaches, but they do need to stay within data protection laws. We are looking into this."
WhatsApp insisted: "Our belief in the value of private communications is unshakeable, and we remain committed to giving you the fastest, simplest, and most reliable experience on WhatsApp."