WhatsApp to allow companies to send you ads

WhatsApp has updated its privacy policy, allowing it to connect your phone number with Facebook’s systems.

This is part of its plan to test ways for people to communicate with businesses. WhatsApp said it won’t post or share phone numbers with anyone, including Facebook.

It also stated that your phone number will not be sold to advertisers.

“By connecting your phone number with Facebook’s systems, Facebook can offer better friend suggestions and show you more relevant ads if you have an account with them,” said WhatsApp.

“For example, you might see an ad from a company you already work with, rather than one from someone you’ve never heard of.”

The changes to its privacy policy also allow for WhatsApp to “explore ways for you to communicate with businesses that matter to you too”.

This, while still “giving you an experience without third-party banner ads and spam”.

WhatsApp said it wants to test these features in the next several months – one of which is sending marketing messages.

“We will explore ways for you and businesses to communicate with each other using WhatsApp, such as through order, transaction, and appointment information, delivery and shipping notifications, product and service updates, and marketing,” said WhatsApp.

Marketing messages could include an offer for something that might interest you, it said.

“We do not want you to have a spammy experience; as with all of your messages, you can manage these communications, and we will honour the choices you make.”