The company assures that the data will remain safe and very few changes are actually taking place
WhatsApp has delayed the implementation of its controversial and much criticized privacy updates after massive backlash at the international level. Originally, the new privacy updates were to come in effect from February 8 with failure to accept leading to account closure. However, the new terms will not come in effect at least until May.
What’s wrong with the new privacy update?
The new terms of use say that the user data will be shared with other Facebook apps, which also owns Whatsapp. When Facebook was acquired by Facebook in 2014 for $16 billion, it was said that such sharing will not take place. This essentially means that advertisers may be able to reach out to WhatsApp users directly. People see a massive breach of trust and are worried about possible data security breaches.
How people reacted?
People around the globe have reacted strongly and have started deleting there WhatsApp accounts. Many alternatives, such as Signal and Telegram has seen a strong rise on downloads from the various app stores. This will certainly lead to breaking down of the monopoly of sorts enjoyed by WhatsApp over the last few years.
WhatsApp’s side of the story
WhatsApp says that the changes were misinterpreted and data will remain secure as it always has been. The company also said that it cannot read into the messages, a misconception amongst many of the users. The company said that very little is actually changing and the terms are being updated for the first time since 2016.
“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,” WhatsApp said in a company blog post. “With these updates, none of that is changing.”