WhatsApp users will soon have their data, such as their mobile number, shared with their parent company Facebook, the messaging service has said in a statement.
Those who do not agree to share this information with Facebook will have no choice but to delete their WhatsApp accounts, and switch to another messaging app, or stop using such services altogether.
“Safety, security and integrity are an integral part of our services,” added WhatsApp. “We use information we have to verify accounts and activity, combat harmful conduct, protect users against bad experiences and spam, and promote safety, security and integrity on and off our services, such as by investigating suspicious activity or violations of our terms and policies, and to ensure our services are being used legally.”