Facebook faces German bid to halt collection of WhatsApp data

WhatsApp delayed the introduction of a new privacy policy earlier this year after confusion and user backlash forced the messaging service to better explain what data it collects and how it shares that information with its parent company. — AFP

One of Germany’s toughest data regulators is seeking an administrative order that would stop Facebook Inc from collecting user data from its WhatsApp unit.

The regulator in the city of Hamburg is seeking an “immediately enforceable order” before May 15 over concerns that policy changes could lead to the use of such data for wider marketing and advertising purposes.