Questions around user data collection done by messaging apps have skyrocketed ever since WhatsApp has recently updated its privacy policy. The new Privacy Policy allows WhatsApp to better integrate WhatsApp with other apps like Facebook, Instagram, Rooms, etc.
The policy, ever since it has been released, is being questioned by many with some vowing to not use WhatsApp ever again while others making memes about it. Have a look:
Amidst the talks around the new privacy policy, Apple has released its Apple’s privacy labels update revealing the huge amount of data that WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger collects when compared with iMessage, Signal and Telegram.
From purchase history, financial information, location details, to contacts, phone number, email address both Facebook and WhatsApp collects both unique and sensitive information from its users raising question over its business model.
Here’s all the data that WhatsApp collects from its users:
- Device ID
- User ID
- Advertising Data
- Purchase History
- Coarse Location
- Phone Number
- Email Address
- Contacts
- Product Interaction
- Crash Data
- Performance Data
- Other Diagnostic Data
- Payment Info
- Customer Support
- Product Interaction
- Other User Content
Here’s all the data that Facebook Messenger collects from its users:
- Purchase History
- Other Financial Info
- Precise Location
- Coarse Location
- Physical Address
- Email Address
- Name
- Phone Number
- Other User Contact Info
- Contacts
- Photos or Videos
- Gameplay Content
- Other User Content
- Search History
- Browsing History
- User ID
- Device ID
- Product Interaction
- Advertising Data
- Other Usage Data
- Crash Data
- Performance Data
- Other Diagnostic Data
- Other Data Types
- Browsing History
- Health
- Fitness
- Payment Info
- Photos or Videos
- Audio Data
- Gameplay Content
- Customer Support
- Other User Content
- Search History
- Sensitive Info
- iMessage
- Email address
- Phone number Search history
- Device ID
Meanwhile, Apple’s iMessage collect only required data and doesn’t infringe one’s privacy.
- Email Address
- Phone Number
- Search History
- Device ID
The Signal app doesn’t collect any information from its users.
- None. (The only personal data Signal stores is your phone number, and it makes no attempt to link that to your identity.)
Telegram collects minimal data from its users besides providing users much more than what WhatsApp could ever dream of.
- Contact Info
- Contacts
- User ID
Facebook has often comprised a user’s privacy and is often criticised for curbing competition using money power. It is accused of buying out apps that it believes hold the potential to influence the masses and cut Facebook apps (Instagram, WhatsApp, etc) user base.
