WhatsApp & Facebook will not tap calls or exploit users personal data

Recently, a wave of posts have been spreading falsehoods about new regulations purportedly being rolled out by Facebook and WhatsApp. These posts assert that WhatsApp and other social media platforms, including Meta, will impose new rules in Bangladesh starting ‘tomorrow’. According to these claims, all WhatsApp phone calls will be recorded, and every social media platform, including Facebook, and Twitter, will be watched closely. Furthermore, another post alleges that Facebook and Meta will exploit users’ photos and other personal information under UCC law. None of these claims are true. Similar posts and messages have been circulating for years, and numerous international fact-checking organizations have debunked them repeatedly. These false messages have spread across multiple platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp, in both Bengali and English.

WhatsApp can’t listen to users’ texts or calls

Multiple posts on Facebook (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6), are circulating a claim that WhatsApp will start recording phone calls imminently. Similar messages are also spreading through WhatsApp, while the same misinformation has spread via TikTok (1, 2, 3), Additionally, some web portals (1, 2) are reporting the same message.

The posts claim, “New communication rules for WhatsApp and phone calls will be implemented in Bangladesh from tomorrow”. They also warn, “It is now a crime to write or send messages about any political or religious matter… Doing so can lead to arrest without a warrant. Police will issue notifications… followed by cybercrime action… it is very serious.” Some similar posts (1, 2, 3) caution, “Avoid joining any groups associated with Bangladesh for the time being. If someone speaks against the government out of emotion, it can affect our business.”

The same message has been seen spreading in English through Facebook posts (1, 2, 3) and WhatsApp texts. Verification reveals that such posts circulated before. In 2023, similar claims (1, 2, 3) cited ‘cybercrime unit’ as source, and the same assertions were made in 2020. These claims have been debunked through fact-checking.

WhatsApp messages and phone calls are safeguarded by end-to-end encryption. According to the platform, “WhatsApp has no ability to see the content of messages or listen to calls that are end-to-end encrypted. That’s because the encryption and decryption of messages sent and received on WhatsApp occurs entirely on your device. Before a message ever leaves your device, it’s secured with a cryptographic lock, and only the recipient has the keys.”

Apart from Bangladesh, such posts were spread in India, United Arab Emirates and Ghana too. Recently, similar claims circulated in Malaysia and were refuted by fact-checkers.

‘New Facebook/Meta Rule’ doesn’t Permit Company To Use Your Photos

A post claiming “Facebook/Meta rule” allows the platform to use users’ new, old, and even deleted photos and personal information without their permission circulated widely on. These claims asked users to copy-paste and share the post to impose a “Reservation of Rights”, preventing Facebook and Meta from using or distributing such materials. In addition to Facebook (1, 2, 3, 4, 5), these messages were also seen spreading on an Instagram channel. It is spread in both Bengali and English languages.

The post reads, “The new Facebook / Meta rules will start where they can use your pictures. Do not forget, today is the last day! So keep up the good work. It can be used in lawsuits against you; Everything you’ve posted – even messages that have been deleted. There is no cost, just copy and post, it will be better than regretting later.”

Many followed the post by sharing posts (1, 2, 3) from their personal profiles, writing, “Under 1-207, 1-306 UCC Act… I am imposing protection of my rights… I do not allow Facebook / Meta or any other Facebook / Meta related person to use my pictures, information, messages or messages, in the past and at any time in the future.”

An Instagram channel shared the post in both Bengali and English and wrote, “Post on your timeline. This is a clear statement as per government and meta guidelines”.

Meta Terms of Service regarding user data and information states, “We do not share personal information and information that directly identifies an individual (such as name, email or other contact information) with any advertiser. unless we have been given specific permission.”

According to the fact-checking organization Snopes, the claims made in such posts are false. Users will not be able to change any company policies or receive any legal protections by posting statements on their profiles on Facebook or any platform under Meta. According to Snopes, such posts are known as copypasta, meaning they are created through copy-pasting. These posts usually contain warnings or advice for users and request that they share the information with others. Sometimes, they mention potential financial benefits from big companies. However, these posts are deceptive. Copypasta posts are mainly created to embarrass or make a fool of those who share such posts in front of others.