Recently Whatsapp came with a new privacy policy update. The latest update received many concerns from users and tech leaders. Whatsapp in its FAQ addressed these concerns and gave clarification about its new privacy policy update. It said that “it does not read or share personal messages with its parent company Facebook.”
The new privacy policy update involves changes related to messaging business on WhatsApp. Which is optional for users and further it added that the new update provides further transparency about how they collect and use data.
In the microblogging site Twitter, The Facebook-owned platform shared a couple of posts and Assured it’s users. That the new updated privacy policy will not affect individual chats in any way. Their messages from chats with their friends and families will be protected by end-to-end encryption.
As per Whatsapp FAQ
“It also informed that neither WhatsApp nor Facebook can access users’ messages or hear the calls. Both companies will not be able to keep logs of who messages or calls you. Along with that, they won’t even see your shared locations. User’s contacts also remain secure and it does not share with Facebook. Thus keeping Whatsapp groups private.
For additional privacy, you can choose to set your messages to disappear from chats when you send them. You can also download and see what information WhatsApp holds on your account right from your app. All this was published as an infographic which informs how it manages all private message information.
Whatsapp New Privacy policy includes Business interactions access.
Facebook Hosting Service
Businesses are provided with the option to use “Secure hosting services from Facebook for managing Whatsapp interactions with their customers.” Business information like answering customers, and sending useful information like purchase receipts. If you are interacting with any business on WhatsApp then it can access that information to further use that information for marketing. Which generally includes advertising. Whatsapp also confirms it is only for Businesses who opted for Facebook’s hosting services.
Facebook’s Shops Commerce Feature
Along with that, Whatsapp also can access the information of users who use Facebook’s Shops commerce feature. The activity that you do within this feature will be used for displaying related ads for users on Facebook and Instagram. It is optional for users to use.
Discovering a business
Sometimes the ads you see on Facebook will show an option to message a business by using the WhatsApp app. If you have already installed WhatsApp on your phone, you’ll have this option that allows you to directly interact with the business. This type of information can be used for Facebook to personalize the ads that you will see on Facebook.
Whatsapp faced some issues regarding it’s updated privacy policy
The publication of FAQ addressing the concerns raised by the new updated Privacy Policy. Where Privacy experts, Business leaders, and entrepreneurs urging users to switch to encrypted apps like Signal and Telegram.
According to ET reports “that several Indian and multinational companies had informed its staff, to avoid sharing sensitive company information on WhatsApp. And also advised not to use WhatsApp for critical business calls.
After this Telegram a cloud-based instant messaging software and application service on Tuesday said. It reached 500 million active users. It noted that within just the last 72 hours, it gained nearly more than 25 million new global users.
Further ensuring users about privacy concerns. Whatsapp also broken down how and in which ways Facebook can access and use the data.
Whatsapp added in its FAQ page
” That after the new update of privacy policy we have received many thoughtful questions. With some rumors around, We want to address some of the common concerns raised by users. We go to great lengths to ensure Whatsapp protects users’ information in a way that helps people communicate properly.
Whatsapp’s statement includes that neither it nor Facebook will be able to access your shared location seems odd. Because WhatsApp privacy policy clearly states “you will not be able to share your location with your contacts if you do not allow us (WhatsApp) to collect your location data from your device.” Besides, we have already observed how companies have many other ways of figuring out our exact location
However, Whatsapp is making its efforts in ensuring users about its new updated privacy policy. To regain the users’ confidence in the app so that they don’t go for other messaging platforms like Signal and Telegram.
With all this, We can say that the issue of data privacy is now top-of-mind for the general public. Said Schless ” It also demonstrates the importance of understanding how our mobile apps collect and use our data. Moving forward in 2021 with increased awareness among users about data privacy concerns will drive certain changes in how consumers and organizations think alike about data sharing within mobile apps.
Conclusion:
Whatsapp’s new privacy policy update is faced with many privacy concerns among users. By addressing these concerns WhatsApp informed that the new privacy policy update does not affect the privacy of your messages with friends or family. It only includes changes related to business messages on WhatsApp. Further, it provides transparency about how they collect and use your data.
