WhatsApp has reviewed its privacy policy in which it will now share some of its member information with Facebook.
According to New York Times, WhatsApp said it would start disclosing the phone numbers and analytics data of its users to Facebook.
The firm claimed Thursday that by doing so, it can more accurately count unique users, better fight spam and abuse, and help Facebook offer better friend suggestions and deliver more relevant ads.
This becomes the first time the messaging service has connected users’ accounts to the social network to share data, as Facebook tries to coordinate information across its collection of businesses, the NYT states.
It also noted that the company plans to allow businesses to contact customers directly through its platform, a similar strategy being tested by Facebook Messenger.
“We want to explore ways for you to communicate with businesses that matter to you, too, while still giving you an experience without third-party banner ads and spam,” WhatsApp said in a blog post announcing the changes to its privacy policy.
The firm further said it will use the data-sharing to fight spam text messages across its service.
Both WhatsApp and Facebook will not be able to read users’ encrypted messages.
It will not also give advertisers individual phone numbers.
WhatsApp users will still be needed to provide their phone numbers when signing up for the service, but can opt out of giving it to Facebook.