Dutch privacy watchdog CBP is launching an investigation into Facebook and is asking the company to postpone its new privacy policy, the NRC reports.

The social media giant said recently that from January 1 2015 it will use data and photos from Facebook profiles to send advertisments to allied services such as WhatsApp and Instagram and to websites logged into by visitors to Facebook.

In return, these sites and services will provide data on their users to Facebook and send advertisments aimed at their personal preferences.

In addition, Facebook will follow users when they go to other websites and it will receive entry to smartphone contacts via its app.

The CBP is to investigate what the consequences of the new policy will be for the privacy of Facebook users.

‘Permission from the users will play an important role,’ a CBP spokesman told NRC. ‘And permission for the use of personal data cannot be achieved by have a user just accept a long list of general conditions.’

A letter has been sent to Facebook asking it to postpone its new privacy policy until the investigation is finished. This could take months, the NRC says.

The CBP is also threatening to fine Google up to €15m for breaking Dutch privacy regulations.