I know very well that WhatsApp belongs to Meta, just like Facebook. I know the relationship between the platforms and the matrix that the messaging app shares with other Meta companies, including Facebook. large amounts of user data. What surprised me was that the social network uses WhatsApp for two-factor authentication.

It’s been years since I’ve accessed the social network on a regular basis, due to my decreasing use of social networking and the little benefit I’ve been getting from Facebook lately. In fact, I can go months without logging into my computer; this always requires confirmation via a text message (I don’t even touch the mobile app). That was before though: the last time I logged into Facebook the code came to me in parallel.

Why spend money on text messages if you have WhatsApp?

Two-factor authentication when accessing Facebook from the web

Since Meta shares user data across its services and platforms, WhatsApp knows I have a Facebook account and this mobile number has a WhatsApp account. Because there was so much personal data, I was eliminating my Meta information down to the minimum required to process it. However, I must admit that the relationship between Meta and WhatsApp provides a certain benefit.

I have enabled two-step verification on all my accounts (I recommend you do the same, as it is very easy to steal a user). Until now, every time I wanted to log into Facebook, I would select the “Use another method” option and select SMS from the menu that opens. With the launch of WhatsApp I now receive the confirmation code directly to my messaging account. Less privacy but more comfortable. One thing relative to another.

Receiving the verification code from WhatsApp gives me access to Facebook from any mobile phone where the account is logged in. Since I constantly change mobile phones, I carry the WhatsApp account, not the main SIM; so I’m sure I’ll log in even from a mobile phone I’m analyzing.

Receiving confirmation codes via instant message instead of SMS makes it easier to use double factoring as a security measure. And without losing that option, Facebook still shows me text messaging if I need it. Of course, there is an important point here: The code is received on the mobile phone where the main WhatsApp account is located. not all those connected. For example, if you use WhatsApp Web, you will not receive the code there.

WhatsApp can share almost any information with Facebook

Facebook code received from mobile phone via WhatsApp

Depending on whether you live in the European Union or the rest of the world, Meta companies may have access to more or less of your data. The former are a bit more covered in terms of privacy, although the information is shared equally among the entire group; As well as third companies working with Meta. WhatsApp states this in its terms of service.

The content of the messages is 100% private because end-to-end encryption prevents access. The rest is another story: The user IP address along with its approximate location, metadata of information about connections, device ID, WhatsApp shares the phone number with Meta… And if you have already associated the same number with your Facebook, Meta The relationship between both accounts, many other In addition to the feature, it also offers two-step confirmation via messaging.

The fact that access codes are sent by WhatsApp shows the close relationship between this platform and Facebook. Even if you can barely access Facebook: The personal information you transfer from WhatsApp is very valuable. That’s why Meta spent $19 billion in 2014.

Cover image | Image 3 in Gemini

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