Facebook has been ordered by The City of Hamburg's data protection commissioner to stop gathering data from WhatsApp users in Germany.

WhatsApp changed its terms of service last month to start sharing its users' information with Facebook. The move has faced a backlash from users who fear that their privacy may be at stake.

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Under its new terms of service, WhatsApp may provide Facebook with vital data such as a user's phone number, phone type, and operating system.

The Telegraph quoted Johannes Caspar, the data protection commissioner for Hamburg, saying that the decision to connect their account with Facebook should be the prerogative of the 35 million WhatsApp users in Germany. She also said that Facebook should ask for their advance permission.

Facebook responded to the ruling stating that it had complied with the privacy rules prevailing in Europe. The social media company also said that it is working closely with regulators to ensure that all their concerns are addressed. Facebook's German subsidiary is based in Hamburg. 

WhatsApp's new terms of service are currently being assessed by the British privacy regulator.

WhatsApp is looking to integrate its functioning with Facebook to generate more revenue. WhatsApp was bought by Facebook in 2014 for $19 billion. As part of the new terms, WhatsApp agreed to disclose its users' phone numbers and analytics data to Facebook. The messaging app is also looking to allow businesses contact their customers using its platform.

WhatsApp's new terms allow users to opt out of sharing data with Facebook. However, they have only 30 days to do so.