WhatsApp privacy agreement update

WhatsApp users have to agree to share information with Facebook if they want to continue using the service.

The instant messaging platform alerted users with a pop-up notice saying they "need to accept these updates to continue using WhatsApp", or delete their accounts.

However, parent company Facebook has confirmed while European and UK users also need to accept new terms, they won't be subject to the same data-sharing changes.

In a statement regarding the "European region" - the EU, EEA and post-Brexit UK - a spokesperson said:

"For the avoidance of any doubt, it is still the case that WhatsApp does not share European region WhatsApp user data with Facebook for the purpose of Facebook using this data to improve its products or advertisements."

The updated privacy policy for European users states that data can be shared with other Facebook companies.

This is said to be for a number of reasons, including:

"Improving their services and your experiences using them, such as making suggestions for you (for example, of friends or group connections, or of interesting content), personalizing features and content, helping you complete purchases and transactions, and showing relevant offers and ads across the Facebook Company Products".

However, Facebook does not use WhatsApp information for those purposes in Europe because of negotiations with relevant data protection bodies.