ISLAMABAD: The National Information Technology Board (NITB) has said that after Facebook-owned WhatsApp’s new privacy policy comes into effect, it would start sharing users’ data with its parent company.
Advising WhatsApp customers’ on how to use the app after February 08 when the new privacy policy rolls out, it said: “Do not share sensitive information, documents via WhatsApp at any cost.” “WhatsApp users will have to agree to new terms to continue using their services,” it reminded people.
https://twitter.com/NationalITBoard/status/1350021976686010368
Users’ data to be shared includes location, IP address, phone and network operator details, monetary transactions, and payments, the NITB added.
California-based WhatsApp said on January 4 it “reserved the right to share some data including location and phone number with Facebook and its units such as Instagram and Messenger.” This move has led governments around the globe to investigate the implications of data sharing.
Meanwhile, Pakistan is planning to launch its own WhatsApp-like messaging app by June 2021 which will be equipped with all modern communication features.
Federal Minister for Information Technology (IT) and Telecom Aminul Haque said that the ‘Smart Office’ app will be launched by the Pakistani government by June 2021.
Orders to develop the app were issued by the federal cabinet and it will be for government employees. “It is now necessary to expedite work on the Personal Data Protection Bill,” Haque added.
The federal minister said, “The government is fully aware of concerns of WhatsApp users over its policy update and privacy rights of the users could not be violated”.
WhatsApp should have taken opinions from users before updating its policy and no company is allowed to impose its decisions on its users through constraints, he said.
واٹس ایپ کا متبادل
ہم سوشل میڈیا ایپ واٹس ایپ کی اپ ڈیٹ پالیسی کے حوالے سے پاکستانی صارفین میں پائی جانے والی تشویش سے بخوبی آگاہ ہیں اور تمام معاملات کا باریک بینی سے جائزہ لیتے ہوئے اپنی پالیسیوں کو مرتب کررہے ہیں.#WhatsappPrivacy #WhatsApp #MOITT #DataProtection pic.twitter.com/YkT2tZKb9U
— Ministry of IT & Telecom (@MoitOfficial) January 15, 2021
The decision was taken after recent security concerns raised by global users and masses in Pakistan over WhatsApp’s new privacy policy.
According to Facebook-owned WhatsApp’s new policy, it may share your information with its family of companies to help, maintain and integrate their activities and get better the services.
Whatever information WhatsApp automatically collects from you will be shared with Facebook. This includes your mobile phone number and basic information you give when you create a WhatsApp account.
It also collects and shares user activity, how often you use WhatsApp, features you use, your profile photo, your status and ‘about’ information, aper the new police.
