A couple of privacy advocate groups urged the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate Facebook's acquisition of the instant messaging service WhatsApp as it might be an unfair trade, which concerns the users' privacy.
Even after Facebook's clarification that WhatsApp will still function on its own after the acquisition; there are still a number of people and groups who are not convinced and has grown suspicious.
On Thursday, the Center for Digital Democracy and Electronic Privacy Information Center filed a complaint to the federal agency requesting to review how the acquisition will affect the privacy of the users of the mobile messaging app. The app processes about 27 billion messages and 400 million photos per day with 400 million active monthly users.
Though Facebook hasn't explained how WhatsApp will contribute to its revenue plans, the plaintiffs believe that the social networking giant will use the messaging application's users' information in disseminating promotions and advertisements. Just like what it did when it acquired the photo-sharing site Instagram in 2012.
"The proposed acquisition will therefore violate WhatsApp users' understanding of their exposure to online advertising and constitutes an unfair and deceptive trade practice, subject to investigation by the Federal Trade Commission," stated in the complaint filed.
In defense of Facebook, Jodi Seth, a spokeswoman for Facebook, said in a statement to Bloomberg, "Facebook's goal is to bring more connectivity and utility to the world by delivering core Internet services efficiently and affordably -- this partnership will help make that happen. As we have said repeatedly, WhatsApp will operate as a separate company and will honor its commitments to privacy and security."
This is not the first time the company has faced privacy complaints. In 2011, Facebook was accused of appropriating names, photos, and identities of users in the feature "Sponsored Stories" to promote and advertise products without the user's knowledge and consent.
As a result of that, Facebook promised to provide better explanations of advertising policies and make new requisites regarding the use of information of minors.
