A few weeks back WhatsApp pushed the new policy update notification. As per this policy, WhatsApp gave Facebook full permission to use WhatsApp data. There was no option to reject this policy. Either you have to accept it or your Whatsapp will stop working after 8th February.
As soon as this policy notification reached the users, the social media filled with Whatsapp & Facebook criticism. Facebook who owns Whatsapp was not prepared for this kind of global outrage. And the tweet of Elon musk act as fuel to this outrage, who directly promoted to Use Signal.
Since then Signal saw 7.5 million downloads last week, a 4,200% increase from the previous week’s downloads. And this outrage helped Telegram complete its 500 million user base all over the world. So, the company has now delayed the new privacy policy by three months.
Thank you to everyone who’s reached out. We're still working to counter any confusion by communicating directly with @WhatsApp users. No one will have their account suspended or deleted on Feb 8 and we’ll be moving back our business plans until after May – https://t.co/H3DeSS0QfO
— WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) January 15, 2021
Whatsapp has mentioned in the official Twitter handle that they are moving their business plan until May 2021. WhatsApp has also clarified that the new privacy policy won’t change the way it handles personal conversations. The company is making changes only for business chats to let businesses offer improved customer service through WhatsApp.
Also read: Top 10 Signal Messenger Tips and Tricks to Use in 2021
“We’ve heard from so many people how much confusion there is around our recent update. There”s been a lot of misinformation causing concern and we want to help everyone understand our principles and the facts,” WhatsApp said in a company blog.
WhatsApp has also spent money in the full front-page advertisement in leading newspapers across the country to reach people and make them understand that chats are still private and end-to-end encrypted. The company will also take more steps in the future to clear its stand on users’ privacy.
“We’re also going to do a lot more to clear up the misinformation around how privacy and security work on WhatsApp. We”ll then go to people gradually to review the policy at their own pace before new business options are available on May 15,” it added.
The Whatsapp website has also updated the user policy information with a visual explanation so as to remove this misinformation. Now, this is delayed but what would be the new policy changes will be on our watchlist.
