Data protection nightmare on WhatsApp: This is how I protect my data!

Data protection nightmare on WhatsApp: This is how I protect my data!

The use of WhatsApp is a given for millions of people in Germany, but a widespread function harbors unexpected dangers. When sharing links, the popular messenger app automatically generates a link preview consisting of an image and a heading. This happens without the user actively visiting the website, which results in unwanted data being passed on, like news portals Mercury and Giessener Anzeiger reported. In the background, when this preview is created, a so-called GET request is sent to the linked website. Data such as the user's IP address, WhatsApp version and operating system are transmitted.

Data protection risk due to link preview

This information can give cybercriminals valuable clues about a person's location and Internet provider. A consumer portal pointed out that despite WhatsApp's end-to-end encryption of text messages and calls, data can also be shared during link previews, which some users should view more cautiously. Therefore, experts recommend deactivating this function in the settings under “Data protection” in order to protect your own IP address and thus personal data.

Link previews are found useful by many WhatsApp users, but they come with a hidden price: transmitting information can lead to increased risk, especially if users are unaware of what data they are revealing. Despite the relative security of personal chats, WhatsApp remains criticized by consumer advice centers, which point out the possible data protection concerns associated with the app. Users should therefore carefully consider which functions they actively use and which they should deactivate in order to protect their personal data.