EPIC stated that after the acquisition, Facebook accessed Instagram users’ data and changed the terms of service to reflect this change.

WhatsApp, a service that allows mobile phone users to exchange messages and files, has stated that it does not intend to collect user data for advertising purposes. It charges some subscribers a $1 annual usage fee.

“Specifically, EPIC requests the Commission to initiate an investigation of the proposed acquisition of WhatsApp by Facebook, specifically with regard to the ability of Facebook to access WhatsApp’s store of user mobile phone numbers and metadata,” it said.

Facebook, the world’s largest social network with 1.2 billion members, gets a majority of its revenue from advertising targeted at users by age, gender and other characteristics.

EPIC requested the FTC to use its authority to “halt” the proposed acquisition and in case it proceeds, order Facebook to “insulate WhatsApp users’ information from access by Facebook’s data collection practices.”

WhatsApp, which has 450 million users, stores their mobile phone numbers, but unlike many online services, it does not collect names, emails, and other contact information.

Read More: 10 Political Honchos Who Were Humiliated In Public and 'Rise Of NGOs', A Boon To Indian Society