Facebook’s WhatsApp mobile messaging app has received the poorest rating regarding user privacy protection, according to the “Who Has Your Back” report, issued by Electric Frontier Foundation.
WhatsApp has earned only one star from a possible five. The company had a year to prepare for its inclusion in the report, but it has adopted none of the best practices recommended.
“WhatsApp should publicly require a warrant before turning over user content, publish a law enforcement guide and transparency report, have a stronger policy of informing users of government requests, and disclose its data retention policies,” the study authors wrote. “WhatsApp does get credit for Facebook’s public position opposing back doors, and we commend Facebook for that.”
