WhatsApp’s New Update Event Feature Poses Privacy Risks

In a few weeks, WhatsApp will add a new 'Events' feature. Essentially, this feature is designed for event planning inside group chats by allowing users to easily create and manage event notifications with all relevant details, such as the name of the event, the location, and when it starts.

While this feature brings convenience, it has raised red flags related to privacy risks due to the collection and storage of sensitive data by Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp. Reacting to these concerns, Mukesh Choudhary, CTO and co-founder of Finoit, a software development company, has called for caution on the part of users before jumping wholeheartedly onto WhatsApp Events.

Understanding WhatsApp Events

WhatsApp Events is designed to make planning activities within group chats more straightforward. According to Mukesh, users can create events such as work meetings, social gatherings, or virtual get-togethers directly within their group chats by tapping the + button and selecting "Event." From there, they can input details like the event name, description, start date and time, location, and even a link for voice or video calls. Notifications are sent to all group members, who can then RSVP directly within the chat, and event details are accessible through the group's information page, with reminders sent as the event date approaches.

The Privacy Concerns

While WhatsApp Events enhances user convenience, it also introduces notable privacy risks. Mukesh warns that the feature’s ability to capture and store details such as event dates, times, and locations could potentially allow Meta to gain insights into users' behavioral and social patterns.

This concern is particularly significant given Meta’s history of privacy violations. “Meta’s track record on user privacy is far from reassuring,” Mukesh says. “There’s a real possibility that this data could be exploited to serve targeted advertising or worse, become vulnerable to privacy breaches.”

The Troubled Handling of Data History at Meta

Such concerns are further bolstered by the past actions of Meta. The company has been the subject of many lawsuits over its handling of data, particularly in Europe, which accuses it of breaking GDPR rules through illegal collection and breaching privacy. More recently, in May 2023, the European Union imposed a record penalty under the GDPR amounting to €1.2 billion for the transfer of user data from Europe to servers in the United States.

Beyond these violations, Meta is embroiled in some other cases. Consumer protection activists in Europe and Britain are probing Meta's plan to deploy user data to train its LLM, a super-sophisticated form of AI. This unabated scrutiny raises even more concerns regarding the safety of personal data shared through WhatsApp's newest feature: Events.

A Call for Caution

Given Meta's chequered past when it comes to data privacy, Mukesh advises users to think a little before using WhatsApp Events. "Considering Meta's ongoing legal issues and their questionable data practices, I can't say I feel entirely secure about handing over details of where I'm going and who I'm meeting to them," he cautions.

The more features WhatsApp adds, the more one will have to balance convenience against the risk to privacy. With growing concerns over how technology giants treat personal data, WhatsApp Events acts as a very timely reminder to users to always be vigilant and to know what is happening on the platforms used every day.

Key takeaways:

• WhatsApp's new 'Events' feature collects sensitive user data.
• Meta has a history of privacy breaches and questionable data practices.
• Users should be cautious about sharing personal information with WhatsApp.
• Increased transparency and data control are essential for user privacy.

As the feature rolls out, it will be crucial to monitor user feedback and any potential privacy implications.