Similar to what happened in Europe recently, WhatsApp was also involved in controversy in Brazil. The Brazilian Internet Steering Committee (CGI.br) criticized the app's new privacy policies. In a note released last Wednesday (11), the agency requests that urgent measures be taken.
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CGI.br wants the application to stop asking for terms to be accepted and to be more transparent. The new policies were implemented in 2021 and share more data with Facebook.
The Brazilian institution wants the messenger to comply with the standards of the following bodies:
- National Data Protection Authority (ANPD);
- Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE)
- Federal Public Ministry (MPF); It is
- National Consumer Secretariat (Senacon).
Initially, the messenger wanted to block users who did not agree with the terms. However, the company reversed its decision. The problem is that those who didn't accept receive constant warnings about the topic.
In a note provided to Canaltech, WhatsApp says the following:
“It is important to reinforce that the update of the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy does not expand WhatsApp's ability to share data with Facebook and does not in any way affect the privacy of messages you exchange with friends and family. Additionally, no user will have their account deleted or lose access to app features as a result of this update.”
European case
The changes were also the target of criticism in Europe. The European Consumer Organization (BEUC) and other bodies criticized the messenger's privacy policy update. The changes angered users and caused downloads from competitors Signal and Telegram to increase.
Facebook said that some privacy changes would occur to improve integration with other products. However, the changes should not interfere with sending messages in private conversations or with companies.
For European users, what revolted was the obligation to agree with the new policy. The European Consumer Organization and at least eight of its members criticized the social network's action. They say WhatsApp is unfairly pressuring users to accept its policies. The complaint was taken to the European authorities dealing with consumer rights.
The group that contested the WhatsApp updates says the following, in a statement released in the international press:
“The content of these notifications, their nature, timing and recurrence put undue pressure on users and undermine their freedom of choice. As such, they are in breach of the EU Unfair Commercial Practices Directive.”
The letter continues: "WhatsApp failed to explain in simple and intelligible language the nature of the changes."
EU laws call for transparent communications
The group also says that "this ambiguity amounts to a breach of EU consumer law which obliges companies to use clear and transparent terms of contract and commercial communications".
On the other hand, the spokesman for Facebook claims that there was a misunderstanding in the case. According to the company, BEUC did not understand the purpose of updating the terms of service.
“The update does not expand our ability to share data with Facebook and does not affect the privacy of your messages with friends or family, wherever they are. We would love the opportunity to explain the update to BEUC to clarify what this means for people.” The information is from Facebook's announcement to the European community.
Even with the company's position, BEUC asked the authorities to take action.
