Several european authorities for personal data protection have opened an investigation after the announcement by WhatsApp to change its privacy policy. In this framework, the mobile application provides the ability to share data with its parent company, Facebook.
As in the past with Google, the regulators have decided to act in a concerted manner, through the Article 29 working party, bringing together the different authorities. In a press release relayed by the Cnil, the article 29 working party “expressed its concern” about information sharing.
how to Stop sharing user data WhatsApp
A share that according to him is “purposes that were not included in the terms of use and the privacy policy at the time the current users have subscribed to the service WhatsApp.”
The article 29 working party questioned (and even “worries”) in several respects : the validity of the consent, the effectiveness of the mechanisms available to users to exercise their rights, and the rights of non-users whose data is shared through the notebooks of contacts on WhatsApp.
To decide on the legality of this amendment in terms of privacy, the article 29 working party “requires” of the editor to communicate to it at the earliest, “any relevant information”. It is also called “urge”, and “until the appropriate legal safeguards can be made”, to put an end to the sharing of data.
The protection authority of Hamburg has already ordered, through an administrative decision, to WhatsApp to cease data collection and sharing, as well as delete the data already collected.
Article 29 was, however, no power constraint at european level. In 2012, this body had requested, in vain, to Google to suspend the implementation of its new privacy policy – that the firm refused.
note that the article 29 working party is also concerned with the news of Yahoo. It has sent a letter to the company concerning its security vulnerability, critical, and monitoring emails of its users for the services account of US intelligence.
The repressive actions now have their european experts
“The article 29 working party therefore asks the company to explain and communicate all aspects of this security breach, to notify affected users of the undesirable consequences and to cooperate with any investigation or request to come from the part of national authorities of data protection on the subject,” said the release.
Yahoo is furthermore invited to explain himself on the surveillance of the emails and show the “legal basis of this type of activity” and that “its compatibility with the european legislation.” The cases Yahoo and WhatsApp will be discussed in November at the first meeting of the working group dedicated to the repressive actions.
The consultation in the repressive actions of the european authorities was institutionalised in effect. The creation of a specific working group has been recorded in September. “This pool of national experts will facilitate the sharing of point of view between authorities on the strategies and repressive actions relating to cross-border cases” is shown.
The article 29 working party justified its creation by the “growing number of events having cross-border implications and impact on the citizens.” And in the conduct of their repressive actions, the regulators will soon have (2018) new powers of sanction (up to 4% of the annual turnover in the world).
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