Amid row over reports of WhatsApp users alleging leak of their private messages with family and friends on search engines, the Facebook-owned messaging service has issued yet another clarification.
However, WhatsApp has said the change in its recently revised policy “does not affect the privacy of messages with friends or family”. “Instead, this update includes changes related to messaging a business on WhatsApp”.
It further shared a list of information “NOT shared with Facebook”.
- WhatsApp cannot see your private messages or hear your calls and neither can Facebook.
- WhatsApp does keep logs of who everyone is messaging or calling.
- You can set your messages to disappear.
- WhatsApp cannot see your shared location and neither can Facebook.
- WhatsApp does not share your contacts with Facebook.
- You can download your data.
- WhatsApp groups remain private.
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
Group privacy
Addressing one of the biggest concerns about “group privacy”, WhatsApp in the Security and Privacy section of its website states: “We don’t share this data with Facebook for ads. Again, these private chats are end-to-end encrypted so we can’t see their content.”
For “additional privacy”, it suggested users change message settings to “disappear from chats after you send them”. Complete steps on how to accomplish this have been shared on its website.
Furthermore, this is the second clarification to be issued by the cross-platform messaging and Voice over IP service provider since it revamped its privacy policy stating it will share data with its parent company Facebook.
It is mandatory for the user to accept the new terms of use, failing which the user’s account would be deleted when the policy comes into effect in February.
The update has prompted an exodus of sorts from WhatsApp.
Fear of security breach
Privacy concerns and fear of security breach have prompted people to weigh other messaging apps; such as Signal and Telegram which either do not collect any data or just basic user information.
If you have any query you can further check it here https://faq.whatsapp.com/general/security-and-privacy/answering-your-questions-about-whatsapps-privacy-policy/