WhatsApp: Prevent access to contacts - how it works
WhatsApp requires many access rights if you want to use the app. This practical tip explains how you can prevent WhatsApp from accessing your contacts.
WhatsApp access to contacts: The problem
WhatsApp requires a lot of access rights from you before you can use Messenger. If that doesn't bother you, that's not a problem at first.
- However, problems may arise for you in the future if WhatsApp accesses your contacts that you have saved on your smartphone. In this case, it is no longer just about your personal data, but also that of other people.
- However, since these people, unlike you, have probably not given a declaration of consent, you may face a fee-based warning, as the Bad Hersfeld district court has just ruled.
Protect contacts on Android smartphone from WhatsApp
Of course, in the data-hungry app, you won't find an option to protect your contacts from WhatsApp. So you have no choice but to install another app for this job.
- The XPrivacy app and the SRT-Appquard Android app have already proven themselves in this regard.
- You can use both apps to stop WhatsApp and other programs from accessing your contact list.
- You initially block the contacts for all apps and then decide for each contact who you want to share them with.
- The new test version 2.5.1 of the SRT AppGuard allows you to monitor up to four apps. If you want to control more apps with the SRT AppGuard, you have to purchase the paid license key. At around four euros, however, the costs for the Pro version are reasonable.
- The SRT AppGuard is compatible with smartphones and tablets from Android version 2.3 to 4.4. According to the manufacturer, the latest version 2.5.1 of the SRT AppGuard improves compatibility with Android versions 5 and 6 and 7. However, there may still be occasional problems with the newer Android versions. So that you don't get annoyed later, you have the option to try out the free trial version on your smartphone in advance.
Prevent WhatsApp from accessing iPhone contacts
If you use WhatsApp on your iPhone or another iOS device, you have an even more convenient option to slow down the messenger's thirst for knowledge:
- First go to "Settings" and then select the "Privacy" option.
- Then go to "Contacts" and then choose WhatsApp.
- After pressing the "turn off" button, your contacts are safe from WhatsApp.
In the next post we will tell you the best tips about WhatsApp.