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Facebook Reportedly Researching Ways to Use Encrypted WhatsApp Messages for Targeted Advertisements Tuesday August 3, 2021 7:24 am PDT by Sami Fathi Facebook is researching ways to analyze encrypted data, such as WhatsApp messages, without actually decrypting the information, according to a new report from The Information. Whatsapp Feature The report cites that Facebook has confirmed it is building a team of artificial intelligence researchers to "study ways of analyzing encrypted data without decrypting it." While it is still early in development, the research could enable Facebook to use users' encrypted WhatsApp messages and then utilize that information for targeted advertising. This specific field of research is called "homomorphic encryption," which is hoped to allow companies to read information from encrypted sets of data while also preserving privacy to protect against cybersecurity threats. Facebook has advertised several related job roles on its website, noting that it wants to work on privacy-preserving technologies while "simultaneously expanding the efficiency of Facebook's market-leading advertising systems." The company continues to recruit researchers with backgrounds in privacy-related technologies including homomorphic encryption, secure computation and data anonymization, according to job advertisements on its website. The technologies are aimed at preserving privacy while "simultaneously expanding the efficiency of Facebook's market-leading advertising systems." Facebook has famously been the subject of scrutiny from lawmakers and members of the public over its privacy practices. The Information believes that homomorphic encryption could be Facebook's response to growing concerns over user privacy and its relation to the platform's business model of running ads. For Facebook, homomorphic encryption could offer a way to continue to make money from ads that are targeted based on what it knows about individual users while also answering calls from lawmakers to take privacy more seriously and prevent the misuse or breach of its data. And it could aid the company's effort to make money from WhatsApp, whose messages are encrypted, meaning Facebook can't use them to target ads. Facebook has considered a workaround to target ads to WhatsApp users in the meantime, but homomorphic encryption could allow Facebook to analyze the data without actually reading it or sharing it directly with advertisers. A Facebook spokesperson told The Information that it is "too early for us to consider homomorphic encryption for WhatsApp at this time." The timing of Facebook's apparent ramp-up of research into new ways to target ads to users through their WhatsApp messages comes not long after Apple's rollout of ATT or App Tracking Transparency. ATT is a framework on iOS 14.5 and later that requires that all apps to ask for user's consent before tracking them across other apps and websites. Facebook had been a vocal critic of the framework in the weeks leading up to its official launch; however, after its rollout, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said it has had little impact on his company's performance so far. Update: Will Cathcart, head of WhatsApp, has tweeted in response to The Information's report that WhatsApp is not exploring the use of homomorphic encryption. Cathcart states that there should be skepticism of "technical claims that apps like ours could see messages in "good" cases only." Tags: Facebook, WhatsApp [ 64 comments ] Top Rated Comments Yokon54 Avatar Yokon54 1 day ago at 07:26 am Just openly saying they are trying to read something secure is so Facebook. Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree) BreakingKayfabe Avatar BreakingKayfabe 1 day ago at 07:25 am Lol, well that sure figures. Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree) Apple_Robert Avatar Apple_Robert 1 day ago at 07:29 am Facebook showing how evil they really are. Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree) DesignTime Avatar DesignTime 1 day ago at 07:41 am Will someone please shut down Facebook and lock up Mark? Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree) DinkThifferent Avatar DinkThifferent 1 day ago at 07:30 am My god, they just keep breaking their own promises. With those new horrific T&C's it literally said "We will never be able to read your conversations" Turns out: they are totally able to read your conversations! Facebook lied again, shocker! Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree) easy4lif Avatar easy4lif 1 day ago at 07:29 am and im sure every Gov in the world is also researching how to read encrypted messages on WhatsApp, telegram, etc Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree) Read All Comments Top Stories Whatsapp FeatureWhatsapp Feature German Regulators Seek to Stop WhatsApp Sharing Data With Facebook Tuesday April 13, 2021 4:49 am PDT by Hartley Charlton Regulators in Germany are seeking to bar Facebook from collecting user data from its subsidiary, WhatsApp (via Bloomberg). The Hamburg regulator is looking to achieve an "immediately enforceable order" against Facebook by May 15, due to concerns that WhatsApp's privacy policy changes could lead to the unlawful use of user data for marketing and advertising purposes. Data Commissioner... Read Full Article * 31 comments whatsapp wallpapers 1whatsapp wallpapers 1 WhatsApp Affirms User Privacy Following Backlash Over Data Sharing With Facebook Tuesday January 12, 2021 6:39 am PST by Hartley Charlton Following backlash after changing its terms and privacy policy to consolidate a significant amount of data sharing with Facebook, WhatsApp is now assuring users about the privacy measures built into its app. Last week, WhatsApp began informing users of updates to the app's terms of service and privacy policy. The updated agreements, which users must consent to in order to continue using... Read Full Article * 172 comments Facebook FeatureFacebook Feature Facebook Reports Record Ad Revenue for Q2 2021, Despite Apple's iOS Privacy Changes Thursday July 29, 2021 2:31 am PDT by Tim Hardwick Undeterred by Apple's recent anti-tracking privacy changes, Facebook continues to rake in billions in advertising revenue, as evidenced by its latest fiscal 2021 second quarter results announced Wednesday. On the company's Q2 earnings call, the social network revealed it had accumulated $28 billion in ad revenue, representing a 56% year-on-year increase. That saw Facebook more than double... Read Full Article * 72 comments Facebook Hacked FeatureFacebook Hacked Feature Mark Zuckerberg's Details Leaked in Facebook Data Breach Wednesday April 7, 2021 7:08 am PDT by Hartley Charlton Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg's own personal information was among the details of 533 million Facebook users that leaked in a data breach, it has emerged. Facebook has now confirmed that the leaked data was obtained not by a hack, but by scraping the platform prior to September 2019. The company now says that an exploit was found in its contact importer, but the "specific issue that allowed... Read Full Article * 56 comments Whatsapp FeatureWhatsapp Feature WhatsApp to Roll Out Multi-Device Support, Hints at Future iPad App Thursday June 3, 2021 3:58 am PDT by Sami Fathi In an interview with WABetaInfo, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg confirmed that the popular messaging app will soon be rolling out multi-device capability, allowing users to use their WhatsApp account on up to four different linked devices even when their main smartphone is not connected to the internet. According to Zuckerberg, Facebook has faced "a big technical challenge" in getting "all... Read Full Article * 78 comments Facebook Watch FeatureFacebook Watch Feature Facebook Working on Smart Watch With Detachable Display and Two Built-In Cameras Wednesday June 9, 2021 1:30 pm PDT by Juli Clover Facebook has been working on a new smart watch for the last several months, and The Verge today unveiled new details about the device, which will compete with the Apple Watch. The Facebook smart watch will have a detachable display with two built-in cameras for taking pictures and videos to share on Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. A camera on the front of the watch's display will be... Read Full Article * 144 comments WhatsApp privacy policy updateWhatsApp privacy policy update WhatsApp Delays Privacy Policy Update That Led to Confusion Over Facebook Data Sharing Friday January 15, 2021 11:58 am PST by Juli Clover WhatsApp has opted to delay new privacy policy changes that have led to a significant amount of confusion over data sharing with Facebook, WhatsApp announced today. The planned privacy policy update will be delayed for three months, but it is not canceled. According to WhatsApp, there's been "a lot of misinformation" leading to concern about the update. WhatsApp clarifies that the update... Read Full Article * 100 comments Apple vs Facebook featureApple vs Facebook feature Facebook Says Impact of iOS 14.5's App Tracking Transparency Will Be 'Manageable' Wednesday April 28, 2021 4:40 pm PDT by Juli Clover Facebook today announced its earnings for the first calendar quarter of 2021, and during the call discussing the results, Facebook executives confirmed that Apple's App Tracking Transparency will have a "manageable" impact on Facebook's business starting in the second quarter. As highlighted by ZDNet, Facebook CFO Dave Wehner said that Facebook is expecting "increased ad targeting headwinds... Read Full Article * 81 comments whatsapp privacy bannerwhatsapp privacy banner WhatsApp Reveals What Happens to Users Who Don't Agree to Upcoming Privacy Policy Changes Sunday February 21, 2021 1:11 am PST by Tim Hardwick WhatsApp has revealed how it will gradually limit the features available to accounts held by users who do not accept the platform's impending privacy policy changes, due to come into effect on May 15. WhatsApp's new banner explaining the privacy policy changes According to an email seen by TechCrunch to one of its merchant partners, WhatsApp said it will "slowly ask" users who have not yet... Read Full Article * 156 comments WhatsApp privacy policy updateWhatsApp privacy policy update Mandatory WhatsApp Privacy Policy Update Allows User Data to be Shared With Facebook Wednesday January 6, 2021 5:22 am PST by Hartley Charlton WhatsApp's latest terms and privacy policy allows the popular messaging app to share a significant amount of user data with Facebook (via XDA Developers). WhatsApp users are today receiving an in-app notice informing them about the app's updated terms of service and privacy policy. The notice gives an overview of the main three updates, covering how WhatsApp processes user data, how... Read Full Article * 265 comments Next Article belgium real time transit Belgium Gains Real-Time Transit Information for Apple Maps Guides iOS 15 General Feature Yellow How to Install iOS 15 iOS 15 is available as a public beta. Here's how to install it. macOS Monterey Piblic Beta Feature Temp How to Install macOS Monterey macOS Monterey is now in public beta. 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