Broadcaster and author Maia Dunphy got a shock on Wednesday when she found herself inadvertently added to the family WhatsApp group of a delivery driver.
Taking to Twitter to document the incident, Maia said: “Folks, I've just been added to the family WhatsApp group of a driver who has delivered a couple of things to me, and I'm not sure what to do.”
She continued to explain in another tweet saying: “He clearly mistakenly saved my number as someone else’s. I might hang around a while and see if there are any good family events coming up.”
However the mum of ones laid back attitude worried some of her followers who were quick to chime in.
Executive Director of Amnesty International Ireland Colm O’Gorman said: “He shouldn’t have your number stored in his phone! There is no reason for him to have it there. That’s a data breach.”
Follower Blanaid said: “I’d leave the group. He shouldn’t have added you without your permission, and now his family know your mobile number.”
While The Art of Make-Up commented: “Bit of an invasion of privacy if he didn’t ask you first I think .. unless it was by mistake...maybe it’s just a group with good jokes etc ?? Don’t think it wound be for me though.”
WhatsApp recently changed its group privacy settings meaning that users have to opt out of allowing people to add them to groups. Maia clearly wasn’t aware of this but Padraig Burke explained the process to her.
He wrote: “WhatsApp has changed its group settings to include “everyone” by default so people can add you to any group!! Change your default settings: 1. Go to WhatsApp: 2. Go into Settings 3. Go to Account 4. Go to Privacy 5. Go to Groups 6. Change from (Everyone) to (My Contacts)”
Another user called RC echoed this saying: “It's because of the new algorithm on WhatsApp that allows anyone to add you to groups. Go to Settings and change from allow "everyone" to add you, to only your contacts.”
Meanwhile a couple of people saw the funny side of it.
Barbara Franzoni suggested: “Change the chat name to Sister Wives, rename yourself Sister Shauna and criticise everyone's cooking.”
While Lou Lonergan said: “Call yourself “ herself” “black sheep” “ moms favourite” … they won’t have a clue. Pick one of their names and say “ I know what you did!”
For her part Maia was very relaxed about the mix up telling followers: “Folks, don’t worry. I sent a message explaining and then left the group. And I’ve changed my settings thanks.”
