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Collecting huge amounts of data with WhatsApp

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Re: Collecting huge amounts of data with WhatsApp

#11

Post by tinus_hn »

libeclipse wrote: post #9

This could be extended slightly to get usernames, I believe. When you're added to a group with a person in it who's not in your contacts, their messages have the name linked to their account in the corner.

The push name is not a username and if you don't want to 'expose' it, leave the group without sending messages. They won't see your name.

Re: Collecting huge amounts of data with WhatsApp

#12

Post by pearjuice »

It clearly says so in the WhatsApp settings what people can and cannot see. This is the modern day equivalent of cold calling a range of home numbers and see who answers. If you don't want that information to be public, disable it. Simple as that.

This functionality is pretty much what made WhatsApp so easily accessible for anyone in the first place.

Re: Collecting huge amounts of data with WhatsApp

#15

Post by libeclipse »

tinus_hn wrote: post #11
libeclipse wrote: post #9

This could be extended slightly to get usernames, I believe. When you're added to a group with a person in it who's not in your contacts, their messages have the name linked to their account in the corner.

The push name is not a username and if you don't want to 'expose' it, leave the group without sending messages. They won't see your name.

My point is that there's probably an API call to get it.

Or is it sent by the client itself?

Re: Collecting huge amounts of data with WhatsApp

#17

Post by rodorgas »

tinus_hn wrote: post #10

> Some of the information that’s being sent back include the following: Reality: > All of the information sent back is the following: Why would you post information in a status update if you don't want it to be public? Why would you use a picture you want to keep a secret?

I think the concern is that the information is now associated with your phone number. Personally I don't care, but who cares can just enable correct privacy setting.

Re: Collecting huge amounts of data with WhatsApp

#18

Post by sdoering »

bartj3 wrote: post #7

When you give your phone number to LinkedIn you're not surprised either if people will find your job title, photo and name based on your phone number right? I'd think most people are pretty aware of how public the Whatsapp info is.

If I ask the semi- and non-technical people within my rech, I find that the majority is shocked by the described possibility.

Sadly not shocked enough to even change the privacy settings. Or - beware - deleting WA.

Re: Collecting huge amounts of data with WhatsApp

#19

Post by Joona »

tinus_hn wrote: post #11
libeclipse wrote: post #9

This could be extended slightly to get usernames, I believe. When you're added to a group with a person in it who's not in your contacts, their messages have the name linked to their account in the corner.

The push name is not a username and if you don't want to 'expose' it, leave the group without sending messages. They won't see your name.

They can see your name under "Group Info".

Re: Collecting huge amounts of data with WhatsApp

#20

Post by dingo_bat »

tinus_hn wrote: post #11
libeclipse wrote: post #9

This could be extended slightly to get usernames, I believe. When you're added to a group with a person in it who's not in your contacts, their messages have the name linked to their account in the corner.

The push name is not a username and if you don't want to 'expose' it, leave the group without sending messages. They won't see your name.

The username is visible in the group info screen. Also, if anybody types '@' it will show a list of group members and their usernames.
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