Privacy campaigners call for halt to Facebook’s WhatsApp acquisition
Clear understanding of personal data use policies needed, claim groups.


Privacy rights campaigners have called for the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to stop the $19 billion (11.3 billion) acquisition of messaging service WhatsApp by social media giant Facebook.
The Electronic Privacy Center and the Center for Digital Democracy, two non-profit pressure groups, have claimed the buyout should not go ahead until it has become clear what Facebook intends to do with the personal data stored by WhatsApp.
The acquisition target has a longstanding commitment not to use data collected from users for advertising.
However, the filing to the FTC claims there is no guarantee Facebook will uphold that promise should the purchase go ahead.
In the complaint, the organisations ask that regulators look into the deal "specifically with regard to the ability of Facebook to access WhatsApp's store of user mobile phone numbers and metadata".
Currently, WhatsApp does store users' phone numbers but it does not collect their names, emails or other personally identifiable information, whereas Facebook does.
The Electronic Privacy Center and the Center for Digital Democracy highlighted the fact that Facebook has previously amended the privacy policies of companies it has acquired, such as Instagram.
Get the ITPro daily newsletter
Sign up today and you will receive a free copy of our Future Focus 2025 report - the leading guidance on AI, cybersecurity and other IT challenges as per 700+ senior executives
As a result the groups have insisted users of the messaging service should be legally protected from Facebook's data harvesting practices on a permanent basis.
"WhatsApp users could not reasonably have anticipated that by selecting a pro-privacy messaging service, they would subject their data to Facebook's data collection practices," the complaint reads.
IT Pro contacted Facebook but had not received a response at the time of publication.

Jane McCallion is Managing Editor of ITPro and ChannelPro, specializing in data centers, enterprise IT infrastructure, and cybersecurity. Before becoming Managing Editor, she held the role of Deputy Editor and, prior to that, Features Editor, managing a pool of freelance and internal writers, while continuing to specialize in enterprise IT infrastructure, and business strategy.
Prior to joining ITPro, Jane was a freelance business journalist writing as both Jane McCallion and Jane Bordenave for titles such as European CEO, World Finance, and Business Excellence Magazine.
-
Asus ZenScreen Fold OLED MQ17QH review
Reviews A stunning foldable 17.3in OLED display – but it's too expensive to be anything more than a thrilling tech demo
By Sasha Muller
-
How the UK MoJ achieved secure networks for prisons and offices with Palo Alto Networks
Case study Adopting zero trust is a necessity when your own users are trying to launch cyber attacks
By Rory Bathgate
-
Meta to pay $725 million in Cambridge Analytica lawsuit settlement
News The settlement closes the long-running lawsuit into how Facebook's owner, Meta, handled the Cambridge Analytica scandal
By Ross Kelly
-
Meta's earnings are 'cause for concern' and 2023 looks even bleaker
Analysis Calls for investor faith in metaverse tech only emphasise the worries that its investment strategy won't pay off
By Rory Bathgate
-
Microsoft and Meta announce integration deal between Teams and Workplace
News Features from both business collaboration platforms will be available to users without having to switch apps
By Connor Jones
-
Facebook is shutting down its controversial facial recognition system
News The move will see more than a billion facial templates removed from Facebook's records amid a push for more private applications of the technology
By Connor Jones
-
'Changing name to Meat': Industry reacts to Facebook's Meta rebrand
News The rebrand attempts to provide a clearer distinction between Facebook and its umbrella company
By Connor Jones
-
Facebook's Oversight Board demands more transparency
News Board bashed the social media giant for its preferential treatment of certain high-profile accounts
By Danny Bradbury
-
Facebook claims AI managed to reduce hate speech by 50%
News The social media platform has hit back at claims the tech it uses to fight hate speech is inadequate
By Sabina Weston
-
Facebook to hire 10,000 workers across the EU
News The high-skilled jobs drive is a “vote of confidence” in the European tech industry
By Jane McCallion