WhatsApp – Opting out of new terms doesn’t stop Facebook taking information

Post by driverdan » Sun, Aug 28, 2016, 3:17 PM UTC

IkmoIkmo wrote: post #6

patrickaljord wrote: post #5

I don't get the problem. If you don't trust them why don't you just stop using them? It's not like it's a government spying program you're being forced into and it's not like there aren't a gazillions chat apps alternatives. Also the intersection of people who use whatsapp and have no Facebook already on their phone with access to contacts must be pretty small so not sure this change is as controversial as claimed in…

Really? All my friends, my boss, the shop I just bought a new suit at, my municipality, they're all on whatsapp nowadays. It's a pretty big deal to just cut it out of my life. It's a platform that's approaching something like 'have an email address' or 'have a phone' in practical terms. There are workarounds but they're not as painless as simply deciding to 'use an alternative chat alternative'. It's like saying you…

Post by tambourine_man » Sun, Aug 28, 2016, 3:22 PM UTC

bogomipz wrote: post #43

tambourine_man wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I also have neither, but it's extremely hard. Some people will understand why you don't have Facebook, but not having WhatsApp is downright mad. Specially if you work with technology. The only people I know that don't have it are luddites or very old people, and even they are far and few between.

"Specially if you work with technology." I think you mean especially. And no its not uncommon to not have or use Whatsapp. Nobody on my current team uses it and nobody on my last one did either. We use IRC and Slack and that is enough. And none of us are Luddites or old people.

Post by tdkl » Sun, Aug 28, 2016, 3:38 PM UTC

anon1385 wrote: post #14

patrickaljord wrote: post #5

I don't get the problem. If you don't trust them why don't you just stop using them? It's not like it's a government spying program you're being forced into and it's not like there aren't a gazillions chat apps alternatives. Also the intersection of people who use whatsapp and have no Facebook already on their phone with access to contacts must be pretty small so not sure this change is as controversial as claimed in…

This video explains it better than I can: http://www.securitytube.net/video/1084 Changing Threats To Privacy From Tia To Google (Blackhat 2010) by Moxie Marlinspike The relevant part: "I think if you look at the way that people tend to organise in groups and communities, there are often informal communications networks that bind them together, that allow them to communicate, make plans, coordinate activities. If you…

Post by stephenr » Sun, Aug 28, 2016, 3:46 PM UTC

bikamonki wrote: post #47

It's too late! Have you seen another search engine make a dent in Google's market share? How about another OS challenging Windows on a PC? Another social network? It is rather obvious that: if the main purpose of a business is to grow revenue/market share, if successful, it will eventually grow to close to 100% market share. This situation, commonly known as a monopoly, cannot be reversed by free market competition a…

Post by evgen » Sun, Aug 28, 2016, 3:51 PM UTC

goombastic wrote: post #35

ihowlatthemoon wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you've granted contacts permission to the Facebook app, it could've identified using the phone number.

This has been my experience as well. In my case Ive never ever installed Facebook on my phone. It has to be whatsapp leaking/sharing the contacts list.