Our cooperation partner checked4you has published a very interesting article on the topic: “Deleting uploaded contacts on Facebook”, which we would like to pass on at this point.
For apps that want to read your address book, you should research exactly why they want to do this.
You probably know this: You install an app that requires access to your contacts permissions And what happens to the entries then? On Snapchat , for example, they are matched with the profiles of all Snapchat users and, according to Snap's privacy policy , information about you may be merged. What does that mean specifically? An example: You didn't give your cell phone number on Snapchat - there are a few reasons for this. Other Snapchatters have the number saved in their address book and other phone numbers from you. Snapchat could then also know it and assign it to you. Fortunately, the app can also be used if you do not allow access to your contacts.
Same with Facebook . They go even further: The app offers you the option of uploading your address book directly. This can be deactivated in the app settings and you should definitely do this current Facebook terms of use Checked4you shows you how on your website!
If you are curious and click on the small link “manage or delete” in the information text in Figure 4, you will find out the following: “Only you can see your contacts and the associated information. However, Facebook uses the Inofs uploaded to your contacts for friend suggestions and to improve the service.” What exactly Facebook means by “improving the service” remains unclear.
However, the legal situation in Germany is very clear:
Anyone who passes on data to third parties must have the consent of those affected. So if you allow Facebook to access the data of your saved contacts, you legally need permission from each individual contact to do so. Obtaining this (preferably in writing) is completely absurd.
Imagine that there are people in your circle of friends who deliberately don't reveal their cell phone number to Facebook, for example. But the number gets into the network through you. Stupid thing, right?!
WhatsApp and Facebook
The matter is made worse by the fact that WhatsApp (which is owned by Facebook) changed its terms and conditions in August 2016 to the effect that information from the app should also be passed on to Facebook. If this also includes the contacts - which is to be assumed - then their numbers will get back to Facebook (and, for example, to Instagram, which also belongs to Facebook...). WhatsApp itself writes in its FAQ on the subject that you can object to the use of the data for advertising purposes, only to immediately add: “The Facebook group of companies will still receive this information…”.
And these are just examples - our advice obviously applies to any app that requests access to your contacts: Think carefully about which app is allowed access and what the operators want to do with the data! Because you are responsible for it!
Another tip
In iOS and Windows, you can revoke rights that have already been granted to each individual app in the operating system settings. Unfortunately, this only works on Android from version 6 (Marshmallow).
Source: checked4you
If you enjoyed this post and value the importance of well-founded information, become part of the exclusive Mimikama Club! Support our work and help us promote awareness and combat misinformation. As a club member you receive:
📬 Special Weekly Newsletter: Get exclusive content straight to your inbox.
🎥 Exclusive video* “Fact Checker Basic Course”: Learn from Andre Wolf how to recognize and combat misinformation.
📅 Early access to in-depth articles and fact checks: always be one step ahead.
📄 Bonus articles, just for you: Discover content you won't find anywhere else.
📝 Participation in webinars and workshops : Join us live or watch the recordings.
✔️ Quality exchange: Discuss safely in our comment function without trolls and bots.
Join us and become part of a community that stands for truth and clarity. Together we can make the world a little better!
* In this special course, Andre Wolf will teach you how to recognize and effectively combat misinformation. After completing the video, you have the opportunity to join our research team and actively participate in the education - an opportunity that is exclusively reserved for our club members!
Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )


However, the legal situation in Germany is very clear: