Hot topics

How to opt out of WhatsApp / Facebook data sharing

AndroidPIT xiaomi MI 3 Whatsapp
© nextpit

You may have heard the news yesterday that Facebook wants to use data taken from WhatsApp. It may come as no surprise that Facebook is taking such action, but is there something you can do if you don't want your data shared? Yes, there is. Here's how to opt out of WhatsApp's data sharing. 

If you want to know exactly what's happening with regards to the WhatsApp policy changes – and why – you can read our original story from yesterday

You can also view the WhatsApp's announcement and it's new policy at the links.

How to opt out of WhatsApp data sharing

Firstly, if you encounter the new terms and conditions the next time you launch WhatsApp, you can simply uncheck the "Share my WhatsApp account information with Facebook" box to prevent the sharing of this data. Unticking the box warns you that your targeted ads experience won't be improved, but if you're okay with this, leave the box unticked and hit agree.

androidpit whatsapp privacy policy
Simply untick the box at the Privacy Policy prompt when it appears. / © NextPit

If you have already agreed to the T&Cs, fear not, you also have a thirty-day window to retract that decision. Open the WhatsApp app and go to Settings > Account > Share my account info and untick the box. Once again, it appears you only have 30 days to do this, so act fast if you don't want your data to be shared. 

Please note that, while this will stop your account information being used to improve these ad services, other user data is still shared between WhatsApp and Facebook. Currently, if you want to use both services, this is unavoidable. 

Are you going to opt out of WhatsApp's data sharing with Facebook? Let us know in the comments.

The best VPN services compared and tested

  Sponsored Editor's Choice              
  SurfShark CyberGhost NordVPN PureVPN VyprVpn ExpressVPN Private Internet Access Tunnelbear Ivacy
Name SurfShark* CyberGhost* NordVPN* PureVPN VyprVpn ExpressVPN Private Internet Access Tunnelbear Ivacy*
nextpit Tested
Go to review
Go to review
Go to review
Not yet rated
Not yet rated
Not yet rated
Not yet rated
Not yet rated
Not yet rated
Price (monthly) $2.49 to $12.95 $2.25 to $12.99 $3.49 to $11.95 $2.91 to $10.95  $6.47 to $1.81 $8.32 to $12.95  $2.03 to $9.95 $3.33 and $9.99 $2.45 to $9.95
Compatible platforms with its app - Android, iOS
- Windows, macOS, Linux
- FireTV
- Android, iOS
- Windows, macOS, Linux
- Android TV, FireTV 
- Android, iOS
- Windows, macOS, Linux
- Android TV, FireTV
- Android, iOS
- Windows, macOS, Linux
- Android TV, FireTV
- Android, iOS
- Windows, macOS
- Android TV
- Android, iOS
- Windows, macOS, Linux
- Android, iOS
- Windows, macOS, Linux
- Android, iOS
- Windows, macOS
- Android, iOS
- Windows, macOS, Linux
- Android TV, FireTV
Protocols OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard L2TP, OpenVPN, IKEv2 L2TP, OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard L2TP, OpenVPN, IKEv2 OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2 OpenVPN, IKEv2 L2TP,  OpenVPN, IKEv2
How do I subscribe? See Options* See Options* See Options* See Options* See Options* See Options* See Options* See Options* See Options*
Name SurfShark CyberGhost NordVPN PureVPN VyprVpn ExpressVPN Private Internet Access Tunnelbear Ivacy
Go to comment (18)
Scott Adam Gordon

Scott Adam Gordon
Editor

Originally from the UK, Scott graduated in Popular Music Studies at Newcastle University and attributes much of his success there to his beloved Samsung Galaxy S2. His current aim is to write cool things about Android. And he loves it.

Liked this article? Share now!
Recommended articles
Latest articles
Push notification Next article
18 comments
Write new comment:
All changes will be saved. No drafts are saved when editing
Write new comment:
All changes will be saved. No drafts are saved when editing

  • 27
    Sorin Dec 1, 2018 Link to comment

    For what I need, WhatsApp is okay. Obviously there are other communications solutions, yet I prefer ... WhatsApp.


  • 1
    jim smith Feb 6, 2017 Link to comment

    Just keep your mobile data turned off on your phone unless you need to use it!


  • 1
    Aliante Chery Nov 8, 2016 Link to comment

    I, not only opted out of data sharing, deleted my Facebook account which I understand will take 90 days to go in effect.


  • 2
    precious ok Aug 28, 2016 Link to comment

    But they also made it available to deactivate it from the notification pop up


  • 5
    Opeyemi Rasaq Aug 28, 2016 Link to comment

    For those that do not see button to unchecked after tapping agree initially, kindly update your WhatsApp.

    SorinScott Adam Gordon


    • Jerry's W. 20
      Jerry's W. Aug 28, 2016 Link to comment

      I did that too. Downloaded latest version App from WhatsApp website. Still no but to there......
      :-(


  • 2
    Rui Aug 27, 2016 Link to comment

    I deleted Whatsapp. Viber is my option.


    • Mukesh Jat 10
      Mukesh Jat Aug 27, 2016 Link to comment

      telegram is my option,

      Djadja-P


  • Parvind Chahal 21
    Parvind Chahal Aug 26, 2016 Link to comment

    for common man these things does not matter.....it is just a hot topic for tech geek sites.....dont worry guys n enjoy.

    SorinScott Adam Gordon


    • Jerry's W. 20
      Jerry's W. Aug 26, 2016 Link to comment

      no way only for tech geeks. I can not believe anyone say someting like that unless you do not care about your personal privacy!!

      Sorin


  • Jerry's W. 20
    Jerry's W. Aug 26, 2016 Link to comment

    What if I do not have in MY ACCOUNT a button to share or un_share my data?


  • Chris Faux 6
    Chris Faux Aug 26, 2016 Link to comment

    The article isn't too late, it tells you what to do if you clicked agree. Read it!

    SorinScott Adam Gordon


    • Jerry's W. 20
      Jerry's W. Aug 26, 2016 Link to comment

      I did! but still no button to click on as told in the article.....

      Sorin


  • 7
    Ram SIngh Aug 26, 2016 Link to comment

    Nice post mate.

    Scott Adam Gordon


  • Mukesh Jat 10
    Mukesh Jat Aug 26, 2016 Link to comment

    I have pressed Agree button without reading anything, Same like i always do. :D

    This article is too late,

    Tip- Please clear your phone's notifications,

    Scott Adam Gordon


    • Bastian Siewers 66
      Bastian Siewers Aug 26, 2016 Link to comment

      As Chris already mentioned, this article explains what to do if you already agreed to the new data sharing :)

      SorinNisha PatelMukesh Jat


    • Scott Adam Gordon 31
      Scott Adam Gordon Aug 26, 2016 Link to comment

      "Tip- Please clear your phone's notifications,"

      My colleagues ask me to do this all the time! But what's the point, they just come back anyway... :/

      SorinNisha PatelMukesh Jat


      • Nisha Patel 12
        Nisha Patel Aug 29, 2016 Link to comment

        "Agreed".. I did the same thing you m entioned in the article @Scott and it worked..!!

        SorinScott Adam Gordon

Write new comment:
All changes will be saved. No drafts are saved when editing