It’s not unusual to discover that apps collect data as a condition of use, but during a time when privacy has become a major focus and differentiator for companies, trying to convince consumers, some efforts to protect

consumers’ rights may seem counterintuitive and even deceptive.

Some might think Facebook has lost its way, especially after Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s feud with Apple, which began in earnest last month, focused on the forthcoming iOS data privacy changes that would make it more difficult for advertisers to track users.

Ads featured in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Washington Post slammed Apple’s requirement for users to give explicit permission for apps to track them across the internet.

Ironically, the upcoming changes to the WhatsApp messaging app’s privacy policy remove the opt-out option, according to XDA-Developers. 

The changes go into effect February 8, at which time users will no longer have a choice other to accept the terms of service if they want to continue using the app.

Users of the Facebook-owned WhatsApp began receiving an in-app notice today regarding service terms and privacy policy. The notice describes three key updates that affect how WhatsApp processes user data, how businesses can use Facebook hosted services to store and manage their WhatsApp chats, and how WhatsApp will soon partner with Facebook to offer deeper integrations across all of the latter’s products. 

The information shared with other Facebook companies will include account registration information, like phone numbers; transaction data; service-related information; information on how the user interacts with others, including businesses when using its services; mobile device information; IP address, and may include other information identified in the Privacy Policy section entitled ‘Information We Collect’ or obtained upon notice to the user or based on their consent.

WhatsApp’s privacy policy was updated on January 4. 9to5Mac writes thatthe new privacy policy doesn’t apply in Europe because of stronger privacy legislation.