European data protection regulations and legal certainty on privacy safeguards offered by WhatsApp to EU citizens
20.1.2021
Priority question for written answer P-000347/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Adrián Vázquez Lázara (Renew)
The Italian data protection authority has contacted the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) to raise concerns about WhatsApp’s decision to update its privacy policy.
The Italian authority claims that ‘the terms of service and new privacy policy make it difficult for users to understand the changes that have been introduced and what type of data processing WhatsApp will be carrying out from 8 February 2021’.
WhatsApp subsequently stated that users’ communications would remain private and that the update would not expand its capacity to share data with Facebook. It also stated that it intended to explain how the changes will work and set 15 May 2021 as the new date on which the new privacy policy will come into force.
In the light of the above:
- 1.Since it has the right to participate in activities of the EDPB, will the Commission clarify whether the new privacy terms will be applied within the EU? In what way?
- 2.If they are going to be applied, what steps will the Commission take to ensure that EU user data is protected and that the information published by WhatsApp is not incomplete, incorrect or misleading?