Relevant offers
Regulators in the Netherlands and Canada say the popular messaging application WhatsApp is violating internationally accepted privacy norms by stockpiling phone numbers belonging to people who don't even use the service.
Officials in both countries say WhatsApp is going through its users' address books and copying every single phone number before transmitting them to the Mountain View, California-based company's servers.
Many communications services ask for access to their customer's address books to help connect them with friends. But under Canadian and Dutch law, personal information belonging to nonusers must be destroyed once it's no longer being used.
Canada's Office of the Privacy Commissioner and the Dutch Data Protection Authority also criticised WhatsApp for weak security and sloppy encryption.
Emails and Twitter messages sent to WhatsApp weren't immediately returned.
- AP
Sponsored links
Comments
Hands on: Google Play Music All Access
Coalition against Trans-Pacific deal grows
Hands on with Google's voice search
Sonic video games coming to Nintendo
Expectations high for next Xbox
Yahoo to buy Tumblr for $1.1 billion
Cracked cellphone? That's cool
Tech-savvy teachers join Google academy
Financial Times website, Twitter hacked
Pack own bags, choose own shopping songs
House collapse feared in Redcliffs
Bail for Manchester stabbing-accused
No Australian charges for Shirtcliff
Loans to help victims of family violence
US cash for Christchurch rebuild sought
'Extraordinary' threats stop parole bid
Law change needed to save Mackenzie Basin
Crusaders the only bright spot
It wasn't me who scored - Franks
Editorial: Charities must be closely scrutinised
Cantabrians join offshore oil protests
House collapse feared in Redcliffs
Stabbing in Manchester St sex dispute
Furniture-maker seeks quake wood
Early flyers can kip at airport
Rape victim 're-victimised' by system
Plan for $47m precinct in Chch
Christchurch beauty crowned Rose
Disputed antiques returned to owner
Do you check your smartphone in bed?
