Information about Future Sark WhatsApp updates
We want to let people know about a problem with the Future Sark WhatsApp Community and Updates Group. The issue affected information relating to around 30 Future Sark participants.
The WhatsApp group was created so people could receive simple project updates. We have now found that members of the Updates Group were able to see other members’ phone numbers and, in some cases, WhatsApp profile icons. This was not intended.
Chief Pleas of Sark, as data controller for Future Sark, has reported the breach to the Office of the Data Protection Authority. This update is being shared as part of that follow-up.
The current WhatsApp Community is now being closed. Future WhatsApp updates will move to a WhatsApp Channel. This will provide better privacy for people who want to keep receiving updates through WhatsApp.
All members have been removed from the Future Sark WhatsApp group and asked to delete the chat from their own device, and not retain, use, copy or share any of the information of other participants.
This issue is limited to information visible within WhatsApp. It does not affect survey responses or other comments you may have shared through Future Sark.
The Future Sark privacy policy remains available at: Future Sark - Cookies and Privacy Policy
We are sorry for the concern this may cause, and steps are being taken to move to a better way of sharing updates.