Facebook’s WhatsApp messaging app has caused the outrage of consumer rights activists for allegedly “actively” introducing new terms and services, and has faced European complaints as a result.
The European Consumer Association BEUC said in a statement on Monday that the updated policy that has taken effect since May is still opaque, preventing users from clearly understanding the consequences of changes in WhatsApp on their privacy.
BEUC Director General Monique Goyens said in a statement: “For months, WhatsApp has been bombarding users with radical and persistent pop-up messages, forcing them to accept the new terms of use and privacy policy.” “They have been telling users that if they do not accept the new terms, their access to the application will be cut off,” and they are “deliberately vague” about data processing.
WhatsApp announced a policy change in January, but due to confusion and user confusion about the data collected by the messaging service and how it shares this information with its parent company Facebook, and user backlash, it was forced to postpone its launch until May.
The Brussels-based BEUC, along with its eight members, stated that it has filed a complaint with the European Commission and the European Consumer Authorities Network.
The document urges regulators to investigate WhatsApp’s practices and requires users to agree to terms and services “through controversial practices” that should not be binding on them.
Spokespersons for Facebook and WhatsApp did not immediately comment.
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