WhatsApp has been receiving backlash over its recent policy
update that states the sharing of user data with parent-company Facebook. While
WhatsApp had been sharing user data with Facebook for years before this update,
users still had the choice to opt-out of data sharing with Facebook.
According to WhatsApp, the updated privacy policy is meant
to help the platform integrate more closely into Facebook’s family of products
and therefore, enhance the user experience across services, which would ultimately
help the company with better targeting of advertisements.
Ever since these changes have been brought to WhatsApp’s
policy, users have not been happy and are criticizing the social media company
for it.
In response to the criticism, WhatsApp shared a Twitter post as an attempt to assure users that the updated policy does not affect the privacy of users’ messages.
We want to address some rumors and be 100% clear we continue to protect your private messages with end-to-end encryption. pic.twitter.com/6qDnzQ98MP
— WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) January 12, 2021
The concern has also become a part of WhatsApp’s FAQ where
it is being addressed. It explains that neither WhatsApp nor Facebook can see a
user's private messages or listen to their calls, message and call are not
retained, location will be kept private, and other data including contact
information and group membership will remain private as well.
However, one thing that still remains unaddressed is the
data that WhatsApp intends to share with Facebook, since it has chosen to only highlight
the one that it won’t be sharing with Facebook.
