Instant messaging platform, WhatsApp, has revealed its new plan of a campaign to curb misinformation around its updated controversial privacy policies, which faced backlash from millions of its users.
The cross messaging platform was earlier accused of forcing its users to accept the ‘privacy policy’ or to leave the platform. Speculations were made that WhatsApp is seeking to read private conversations of its users and is willing to share it to Facebook to run its business model.
Millions of WhatsApp users chose to switch to other alternatives. Due to which, the messaging platform then decided to delay its privacy policy update until 15 May 2021.
In an effort to bust all myths around the new policy, WhatsApp has shared its updated plans where it will ask its users to review the privacy policy.
What Are the Updates?
WhatsApp Spokesperson in a statement informed, that the platform will now use ‘status’ feature to inform its users about the updated privacy policy. Here are some other updates:
- WhatsApp has assured its users that it will never read any personal chats, as they are end-to-end encrypted.
- A banner will be displayed by WhatsApp, where users will be able to read the updated privacy policy at their own convenience.
- Issues with privacy and other FAQs will be answered on the banner.
- Users will have to review and ‘accept’ the updates in order to continue using WhatsApp.
- With regard to sharing data with Facebook, the app also stated in its update on 19 February, that the app uses some shopping features, which involves Facebook. “Some shopping features involve Facebook so that businesses can manage their inventory across apps. We display more information directly in WhatsApp so people can choose if they want to engage with businesses, or not,” read a statement by WhatsApp.
WhatsApp Takes a Dig at Its Competitors
In a statement, WhatsApp has claimed that its competitors try to get away with claiming that they don’t see people’s messages without offering end-to-end encryption model. “ 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. Other apps say they’re better because they know even less information than WhatsApp,” read a statement by WhatsApp.
“We believe people are looking for apps to be both reliable and safe, even if that requires WhatsApp having some limited data. We strive to be thoughtful on the decisions we make and we’ll continue to develop new ways of meeting these responsibilities with less information, not more,” the statement added.
Deadline To Accept Privacy Policy
While WhatsApp has released its new plan to curb misinformation, this does not mean that the date for accepting privacy policy has been pushed. Users will have to accept the privacy policy by latest May 15, failing to do which will force WhatsApp to stop its users from using its services.
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