The National Information Technology Board said Friday that after Facebook-owned WhatsApp’s new privacy policy comes into effect, it might start sharing users’ data with its parent company.
Advising WhatsApp users’ on the way 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 need to comply with new terms to continue using their services,” it reminded people.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 proper to share some data including location and telephone number with Facebook and its units like Instagram and Messenger.”
This move has led governments round the globe to research the implications of knowledge sharing.
Meanwhile, in response to the messaging app’s move, Federal Minister for Information Technology Amin ul Haq said Friday that a WhatsApp alternate, named Smart Office, is being developed and is currently under the testing phase.If approved, the app are going to be employed by officialdom and employees, the IT minister said.
Talking to Geo News, he said the app are going to be released by June 2021. “A similar app is being developed for all citizens to use,” he added, stressing that it might offer complete protection of user data and communications record.
He revealed that the ministry has prepared a private Data Protection Bill 2020 which can be sent to the law ministry for legal review before it’s presented before the federal cabinet.
