WhatsApp users received a notification, this month, that a new privacy policy and terms are being introduced.
Dhaliya Nazreen
credits: Google Play
WhatsApp users received a notification, this month, that a new privacy policy and terms are being introduced and chartered the right to share some of the personal data of users with Facebook. Due to massive criticism arose from the users globally WhatsApp decided to withheld it's new privacy plan. WhatsApp cancelled the deadline, February 8 for accepting the new privacy policy and it is extended to May 15.
According to the new privacy policy WhatsApp can share the information about users to other Facebook companies for advertising purposes. The company aims to serve targeted ads to its users by understanding their usage habits which in turn help business for items that for instances were clicked on Instagram or Facebook ads. The privacy policy updation was made to alert users that some business would soon be using Facebook owned servers to store the messages with consumers. Facebook said that it will not access the messages for any type of malpractices, but the way new privacy policy arises misunderstandings and concerns among its users. WhatsApp also mentioned regarding the privacy policy that all private messages remains end-to-end encrypted.
It was built on a simple idea in which what you share with your friends and family stays between you. This means that we will always protect your personal conversations with end-to-end encryption, so that WhatsApp and Facebook will not be able to view these private messages. We also can’t see your shared location and we don’t share your contacts with Facebook.-WhatsApp in regarding the Privacy Policy Issue
Nothing is changing but instead of that WhatsApp has included new options in its update where user with business account, their details will be collected. This update does not share data with Facebook.-WhatApp added
Users received an in-app notification about the new privacy updates in the beginning of this month created a large trigger memes and oppositions globally. To pick-up people on privacy concerns company said, "WhatsApp helped bring end-to-end encryption to people across the world and we are committed to defending this security technology now and in the future. We will continue to put everything we have into making WhatsApp the best way to communicate privately".
Within last few days the sparked global protest , users rushed to other private messaging apps including Telegram and Signal. WhatsApp competitor Telegram has added 25 million new users over the past couple of days. Telegram specifies that 38% of new users are from Asia followed by Europe (27%), Latin America (21%) and MENA (Middle East and North America) with 8%. Signal also expecting more capitalised opportunities in India by its simple & straight forward terms and services.
Global acceptance, as a safe and secure private messaging app, Telegram and Signal are creating a tough competition with WhatsApp.