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WhatsApp told to stop sharing user data with Facebook by French authorities

reuters.com

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Re: WhatsApp told to stop sharing user data with Facebook by French authorities

#41

Post by titanix2 »

hartator wrote: post #30
germanier wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There is nothing that would stop this legally (what authority should hinder them?). Things that can be enforced are only limited by practicality. Any non-EU business worth enforcing such a law against will very likely do business inside the EU (e.g. selling ads to local companies). Any money transferred can then be froozen to enforce this law. Facebook in particular does business as an Irish company for its EU users,…

So, if you sell products or services in China, you have to comply to all China regulations, not just exports? That doesn't make any sense.

That’s exactly what is happening: Windows 10 "China Edition" or some moves from Apple to comply with Chinese regulations for example.

Respecting local regulations is not a mind blowing fact. A foreign company cannot sell heroin in the USA under the pretext it is legal in their country.

Re: WhatsApp told to stop sharing user data with Facebook by French authorities

#42

Post by edran »

hartator wrote: post #36
titanix2 wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Don’t understand the downvote you’re facing. Whatsapp is operating in France so it must comply with the ruling here. Moreover the fact that they hide from the CNIL the data they are sharing probably mean they do not comply to the regulations (which are here to protect people). Too bad the sanctions are not dissuasive enough to force compliance. Politicians are allowing this situation from too long (same with taxes av…

It will be nightmare if you have to comply to every laws of a country just because you have users in it.

It's not a nightmare, it's a responsibility towards the people who use your product, and the society that allows you to gain wealth from such usage.

If you want to simplify the system, lobby for multiple nations to adopt a good standard, or move on.

Re: WhatsApp told to stop sharing user data with Facebook by French authorities

#43

Post by chaosite »

hartator wrote: post #36
titanix2 wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Don’t understand the downvote you’re facing. Whatsapp is operating in France so it must comply with the ruling here. Moreover the fact that they hide from the CNIL the data they are sharing probably mean they do not comply to the regulations (which are here to protect people). Too bad the sanctions are not dissuasive enough to force compliance. Politicians are allowing this situation from too long (same with taxes av…

It will be nightmare if you have to comply to every laws of a country just because you have users in it.

This isn't even a law, it's an order.

Don't want to comply? Don't accept users from that country. That's the reality of a multi-national...

Re: WhatsApp told to stop sharing user data with Facebook by French authorities

#44

Post by toomuchtodo »

hartator wrote: post #25
kuschku wrote: post #3

» The CNIL said it had repeatedly asked WhatsApp to provide a sample of French users’ data transferred to Facebook but the company had explained it could not do so as it is located in the United States and “it considers that it is only subject to the legislation of this country.” « That's a very interesting quote from Facebook, and explains why the GDPR has a special section explaining that it also applies to foreign…

I am glad as an US company we don't have to comply to the dumb EU cookie laws. Yeah, we know every websites in the world uses cookies. Don't need a modal everywhere.

Bad news friend. You have to comply with GDPR if any of your users are in the EU, even if they were originally not in the EU when they signed up. Your user merely needs to be a EU resident.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Data_Protection_Regula...

---

The regulation applies if the data controller (an organization that collects data from EU residents) or processor (an organization that processes data on behalf of data controller e.g. cloud service providers) or the data subject (person) is based in the EU. Furthermore the regulation also applies to organizations based outside the European Union if they collect or process personal data of EU residents. According to the European Commission "personal data is any information relating to an individual, whether it relates to his or her private, professional or public life. It can be anything from a name, a home address, a photo, an email address, bank details, posts on social networking websites, medical information, or a computer’s IP address."

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Re: WhatsApp told to stop sharing user data with Facebook by French authorities

#45

Post by realusername »

hartator wrote: post #36
titanix2 wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Don’t understand the downvote you’re facing. Whatsapp is operating in France so it must comply with the ruling here. Moreover the fact that they hide from the CNIL the data they are sharing probably mean they do not comply to the regulations (which are here to protect people). Too bad the sanctions are not dissuasive enough to force compliance. Politicians are allowing this situation from too long (same with taxes av…

It will be nightmare if you have to comply to every laws of a country just because you have users in it.

It's pretty much like this for every country, Whatsapp can always set app to be not available for some countries if they are not happy with the local laws.

Re: WhatsApp told to stop sharing user data with Facebook by French authorities

#46

Post by mikeokner »

laurentoget wrote: post #29
laurentoget wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not if this data is data about persons according to french law. You need consent from those persons to use the data for any purpose beyond the original purpose you mentioned when you collected the data. sadly this is only in the french wikipedia https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loi_informatique_et_libert%C3%...

There is a european directive which addresses the same problems, though i do believe the french law is more explicit, and the french government has been enforcing it.

Ah that makes sense. Thanks.

Re: WhatsApp told to stop sharing user data with Facebook by French authorities

#47

Post by rihegher »

abritinthebay wrote: post #39

The French system for protecting personal information should be a model for the rest of the world imo. (As an Englishman it pains me to say that) A company can never really “own” your data there. It merely can be lent it for very specific purposes. Using it outside of those purposes is punishable by law and that permission can be revoked. It’s very pro-citizen.

Well here this is the CNIL threatening to fine Facebook. The CNIL does not have much power though, and the worst that may happens for Facebook will be to be fine a few thousands euros.

Re: WhatsApp told to stop sharing user data with Facebook by French authorities

#48

Post by gourou »

kuschku wrote: post #3

» The CNIL said it had repeatedly asked WhatsApp to provide a sample of French users’ data transferred to Facebook but the company had explained it could not do so as it is located in the United States and “it considers that it is only subject to the legislation of this country.” « That's a very interesting quote from Facebook, and explains why the GDPR has a special section explaining that it also applies to foreign…

> WhatsApp has basically replaced SMS and other messaging infrastructure

That's especially true here in Spain where SMS prices dropped long after 3G appeared. There's even road/trafic signs showing Whatsapp's dominance.

http://ecodiario.eleconomista.es/sociedad/noticias/6600084/0...

http://www.stateofdigital.com/marketer-understand-acquisitio...

Re: WhatsApp told to stop sharing user data with Facebook by French authorities

#49

Post by mrguyorama »

hartator wrote: post #36
titanix2 wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Don’t understand the downvote you’re facing. Whatsapp is operating in France so it must comply with the ruling here. Moreover the fact that they hide from the CNIL the data they are sharing probably mean they do not comply to the regulations (which are here to protect people). Too bad the sanctions are not dissuasive enough to force compliance. Politicians are allowing this situation from too long (same with taxes av…

It will be nightmare if you have to comply to every laws of a country just because you have users in it.

It would be a nightmare to comply with the laws of a country I am visiting

Re: WhatsApp told to stop sharing user data with Facebook by French authorities

#50

Post by arkitaip »

Brakenshire wrote: post #26
teekert wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm taking baby steps towards Signal. I think 10% now of my regular "apping" is on Signal. There is still some on Telegram as well.

I've been wondering about alternatives, do you find Signal to work well? Can non-technical people install and use it without problems?

I gave Signal a try the other day and the installation and daily usage has been easy and straightforward, very similar to Viber, WhatsApp, etc. I just like the idea of a privacy first messaging app where I can send gifs through Gboard.
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