Millions of users of Facebook-owned instant messaging platform WhatsApp are still confused and even disappointed over its new privacy policy. Now, in the latest update, WhatsApp has decided to push out banners to provide more information on its privacy policy.
WhatsApp: Millions of users of Facebook-owned instant messaging platform WhatsApp are still confused and even disappointed over its new privacy policy. Now, in the latest update, WhatsApp has decided to push out banners to provide more information on its privacy policy. WhatsApp today said users had ‘misunderstood’ the privacy updates as an indication that it would begin sharing more data — including users private messages — with Facebook.
In a blogpost WhatsApp said: “Today we’re sharing updated plans for how we’ll ask WhatsApp users to review our terms of service and privacy policy. We previously encountered a great deal of misinformation about this update, and we continue to work hard to clear up any confusion. As a reminder, we’re building new ways to chat or shop with a business on WhatsApp that are entirely optional. Personal messages will always be end-to-end encrypted, so WhatsApp can’t read or listen to them.
“We’ve reflected on what we could have done better here. We want everyone to know our history of defending end-to-end encryption and trust we’re committed to protecting people’s privacy and security. We’re now using our Status feature to share our values and updates directly within WhatsApp. We’ll be doing much more to make our voice clear going forward,” the instant messaging platform further added.
In the coming weeks, the company will display a banner in WhatsApp providing more information that people can read at their own pace. They have also included more information to try and address concerns. Eventually, they will start reminding people to review and accept these updates to keep using WhatsApp.
“We understand some people may check out other apps to see what they have to offer. We’ve seen some of our competitors try to get away with claiming they can’t see people’s messages – if an app doesn’t offer end-to-end encryption by default that means they can read your messages,” the company noted.
Concerned over the privacy of the people, Supreme Court had on Monday sought responses from the Centre and WhatsApp within four weeks on a fresh plea alleging lower standards of privacy for Indians in comparison to European users of the messaging app. The top court had said that people have grave apprehensions that they will lose their privacy, and it is our duty to protect them.
