Data Collection Germany has recently ordered WhatsApp to cease sharing information with its parent company Facebook as it was deemed to be an infringement of national data protection law. Facebook has also been ordered to delete all information that it has collected from WhatsApp. They argue that Facebook has not obtained a clear approval as Facebook would be required to ask permission in advance to collect such information they seek.
Officials from India have produced a similar order to WhatsApp to delete all data acquired from users who opted out by September 25, 2016. WhatsApp has responded to this statement originally and would not delete the data, however later retracted that announcement and proceeded to comply with the order.
This situation demonstrates how little control users have of what companies do with the information we provide.
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