The collective of the EU data protection authorities expressed “serious concerns” over WhatsApp’s recent privacy policy change that stated that the user phone numbers would be shared with Facebook. The collective consequently asked WhatsApp to communicate all relevant information to it as soon as possible and to pause the data sharing until the appropriate legal protections could be assured. On the other hand, WhatsApp confirmed they had constructive conversations with the watchdogs before the update and remained committed to respecting the law.

The watchdogs also wrote to Yahoo over its massive breach of 500 million users’ data in 2014 and its scanning of incoming emails for the US intelligence officials. The collective requested details of the data breach and ordered Yahoo to notify users about the “adverse effects”. Yahoo is also required to cooperate with all enquiries or investigations of the data protection authorities. As for the Yahoo’s email scanning for US intelligence agencies, the EU authorities said that the search giant was asked to provide information on the legal basis of this move and its compatibility with EU law.

The authorities are going to discuss the privacy cases of both companies in November. In the meantime, other pan-European agencies also expressed concern over WhatsApp’s policy changes and Yahoo’s mishandling of its hack and revelations over American intelligence operations: for example, Germany has just ordered Facebook to stop collecting WhatsApp user data and to delete whatever it already got. The United Nations also made an announcement saying that Yahoo’s actions raised serious human rights concerns.