WhatsApp is a Facebook-owned text messaging service. According to Messenger People, it is the third most common messaging app. Despite the fact that it uses end-to-end encryption, it retains more data on its customers than other chat apps such as Signal.
WhatsApp expected to phase out in-app updates to customers in January 2021, informing an upgrade to its Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. The customer had to agree to the latest WhatsApp Privacy Policy and Terms of Service in order to continue using the chat app.
WhatsApp: Privacy Policy Controversy
The company changed its terms of use and privacy policies so that consumers were informed as soon as they entered the app. Users were required to approve these upgrades in order to continue using the app, and the modifications were set to take effect on February 8, 2021. The following changes were made to the operation and privacy policies:
- WhatsApp's service and how we handle your information
- How do companies store and handle their WhatsApp conversations using Facebook hosted services.
- How they collaborate with Facebook to provide integrations across all of Facebook's business products
Many users have moved to other encrypted messaging apps such as Signal and Telegram, which will be addressed later, as a result of the update, which has received a lot of backlash. Several users misinterpreted the changes and mistook them for an invasion of privacy, resulting in backlash.
Because of the popularity of Signal and Telegram, WhatsApp issued a clarification on the update in the hopes of clearing up any misunderstandings and preventing further users from abandoning the app.
The company clarified that the new WhatsApp privacy policy would only impact users' contact with companies, and that personal chats and calls would continue to be encrypted end-to-end. They stressed that the latest updates will not affect users' privacy or protection. This was also one of the reasons why the organization decided to postpone the implementation of its new policies until May 15, 2021, allowing consumers an additional three months to review and approve the policy.
It's also worth noting that the changes aren't mandatory, but they will have an effect on users' access to the app's functionality.
If you consent to the privacy policy, what information will be shared?
Phone numbers and transaction details will be shared with Facebook under the new privacy policy, which is intended for companies who use WhatsApp.
What happens if I refuse to follow WhatsApp's new privacy policy?
Users who fail to approve the new terms would have reduced features on their accounts starting May 15th, 2021, according to WhatsApp. Users will be met with what the company refers to as "persistent alerts" each time they open the app, reminding them of the privacy policy.
After a few weeks, however, this will improve, and users will begin to notice some limitations in the app. Users will still be able to answer phone and video calls, but their chat list will be unavailable. If users have not yet agreed to the privacy policy, they will no longer receive incoming video/audio calls and will not be notified of new messages.
If you refuse to approve the upgrade, the organization will make the program almost unusable for users in order to compel them to accept the updated privacy policy. They also notify users of their current inactive account policy. Inactive accounts (those with WhatsApp on their computer but no Internet connection) will be deleted after 120 days, according to the company's FAQ website.
Because of the General Data Protection Regulation, users in Europe will opt out of the current WhatsApp privacy policy (GDPR).
Alternative Apps for Encrypted Messaging
The majority of WhatsApp users have moved to one of two apps: Signal or Telegram.
Signal
The most obvious choice because it offers superior protection and allows for end-to-end encryption of all communications. Users are only required to have a phone number, which is not linked to your identity. Signal does not gather metadata, and all messages are saved locally rather than in the cloud.
According to The Verge, Signal has seen a spike in users since Elon Musk tweeted "Using Signal." Because of the influx of potential signal users, the company experienced a delay in phone number verifications for new accounts.
Telegram
Telegram is another good option, but it is not as stable as Signal and does not provide end-to-end encryption by default. You must first start a "hidden" conversation in order to allow an end-to-end encrypted conversation. Community communications, unlike Signal, are not encrypted end-to-end, and all messages are stored on the company's cloud servers.
The WhatsApp privacy policy has gotten a lot of flak, but the company is attempting to retain users by emphasizing that individual messages between two users are still end-to-end encrypted. They went on to say that the changes have a direct impact on business contact.
Unfortunately, some WhatsApp users migrated to Signal and Telegram, causing the company to lose some users. I've been using Signal as my messaging app because I'm really concerned about my privacy and protection. Unlike WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, Signal is not owned by Facebook and does not monitor your use in the app. Signal is a messaging app that I recommend if you're looking for something different.
