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In 2016 WhatsApp let users opt-out of Facebook data sharing with third parties by just checking a box in Account Settings [1]. Most of my friends and family did opt-out. Now, as far as I understand, they are being "forced to opt-in" by accepting the new ToS and Privacy Policy or, otherwise, getting locked out.

1 - https://techcrunch.com/2016/08/25/whatsapp-to-share-user-dat...

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No, that is entirely incorrect:

> When WhatsApp launched a major update to its privacy policy in August 2016, it started sharing user information and metadata with Facebook. At that time, the messaging service offered its billion existing users 30 days to opt out of at least some of the sharing. If you chose to opt out at the time, WhatsApp will continue to honor that choice. The feature is long gone from the app settings, but you can check whether you're opted out through the “Request account info” function in Settings.

https://www.wired.com/story/whatsapp-facebook-data-share-not...

> WhatsApp will continue to honor that choice.

That's good news but I can't find this stated anywhere in their policy:

https://www.whatsapp.com/legal/updates/privacy-policy/?lang=...

It seems like an important thing to mention.

After all the Facebook scandals you really trust them to honor that choice?

That's not true. There is no change for users who opted out in 2016

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