WhatsApp is widely used by iOS and Android users alike. However, there had been concerns towards the privacy policy of the app and after launching an investigation into its handling of public data, the Dutch and Canadian authorities have criticized WhatsApp for insufficient privacy controls.

The investigations were launched back in 2012, and WhatsApp had been collaborating with Dutch and Canadian authorities to help them discern how the app access user data on mobile devices. Whereas the authorities of the two countries have praised the fact that the company cooperated with them, they had a few contentions.

The primary contention cited by the authorities is that for users running pre-iOS 6 versions of the Apple mobile firmware WhatsApp doesn’t provide the option of manually adding contacts. Rather, it simply asks the users to give it direct access to their entire address book.

On this point, the chairman of the Dutch Data Protection Authority, Jacob Kohnstamm, stated, “Both users and non-users should have control over their personal data, and users must be able to freely decide what contact details they wish to share with WhatsApp.”

At the same time, WhatsApp has complied with a number of suggestions put forth by the Dutch and Canadian authorities regarding the encryption and authentication of data. That may explain the fact that for now, neither of the two countries are planning to impose any sanctions on the app and are going to explore the matter further.

Source: Dutch DPA

Courtesy: All Things D

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