Published 11:17 IST, January 17th 2021
WhatsApp leaves message on 'Status' giving assurance on privacy; netizens raise questions
Contact named 'WhatsApp' left a message on the 'Status' tab of its users. However, despite the message amid flak for privacy, netizens were not convinced.
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One of the most used applications in the world, WhatsApp is currently under fire from a section of its users over its impending new privacy feature. With some already migrating to a ‘safer’ messaging service Signal, the Mark Zuckerberg-owned company seem to have felt jitters. After putting off the supposed rolling out of the feature by three months and publishing full-page advertisements in Indian newspapers, the latest act from the company was assuring their users via their own 'Status' feature.
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WhatsApp assures users via Status
WhatsApp users woke up to the four messages displayed on their status from a contact named ‘Whatsapp’. The messages were 'We are committed to your privacy’, ‘WhatsApp can’t see your shared location’, ‘WhatsApp can’t read or listen to your personal conversations as they’re end to encrypted’ and ‘WhatsApp doesn’t share your contacts with Facebook’.
Neitzens had mixed reactions to the latest gesture by the American company. One called it ‘amazing’ that the company 'cared.' However, the others were not convinced, they termed it as a ‘damage control’ exercise, and did not have hesitation to announce that they have moved on to Signal and enjoying it.
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Interestingly, some thought that WhatsApp being able to send a message on their status, without its contact not being saved an indicated the flaws in their new privacy policy.
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WhatsApp postpones privacy policy
WhatsApp had already sent notifications to its users, asking if they were agreeing to their new terms and conditions. The company announced that those who would not agree to the new privacy policy, would not be able to use the app from February 8. However, they have now deferred the decision. The company issued a statement in a blog post:
"We're now moving back the date on which people will be asked to review and accept the terms. No one will have their account suspended or deleted on February 8. We're also going to do a lot more to clear up the misinformation around how privacy and security works 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," the blog post read.
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The new policy has attracted criticism and raised doubts after the company stated that it has modified the manner in which it would process user data, along with integration with Facebook and its products.
11:17 IST, January 17th 2021