WhatsApp has cancelled plans to share British data with Facebook. The announcement has come after the messaging app received pressure from a UK watchdog to put a stop to any plans to share user data with its parent company, Facebook. The Information Commissioner's Office in the UK has said that WhatsApp will be allowed to continue data sharing with Facebook, but only if it is decided that it complies with British law. Originally the idea was to make Facebook's friend suggestions and adverts more relevant to the user, by using data taken from WhatsApp. However, this led to concerns from users of the app that they were being “exploited”, whilst also starting a backlash against both companies who promised never to share data. This has happened just days after Germany banned the same data sharing plan, and the EU advised the company to stop the practice.Â
