Looks like WhatsApp is scared of losing its customers worldwide, thus, it is making all efforts to pacify all concerns around its privacy terms and features. After massive criticism and backlash from users across the world for its new privacy policies, WhatsApp has set WhatsApp status to clarify again that users data and private chats are safe with the company.
Earlier, WhatsApp had published full-page advertisements in newspapers clarifying about its new terms, WhatsApp has posted the same in the in-app Status section.
In a set of four status posts, WhatsApp maintains it does not “read or listen to your end-to-end encrypted.”
The official Status posts from WhatsApp are surprising and once users have clicked on the posts, they disappear from the Status feed. The status does not even show up viewed posts later.
WhatsApp had set a February 8 deadline for users to accept the new policy or lose your account, which got grave reactions not only from users but also from privacy advocates.
Many industry big shots such as Elon Musk had called for rejecting the Facebook-owned app and join Signal.
Since WhatsApp has started sending in-app messages to its users asking to accept the policy to continue with their services, many users have switched to other messaging platforms. Telegram and Signal have seen an exponential increase in downloads and new users. Telegram has in a few days registered around 500 million users, while Signal is also receiving many every day.
Following the backlash, WhatsApp has delayed the implementation of its new privacy policy and it now intends to roll out the policy in May this year.
WhatsApp clarification on the new terms and policy
“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 work 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,” said the company in a blog post.
“WhatsApp helped bring end-to-end encryption to people across the world and we are committed to defending this security technology now and in the future. Thank you to everyone who has reached out to us and to so many who have helped spread facts and stop rumours. We will continue to put everything we have into making WhatsApp the best way to communicate privately,” it added.
Also Read: WhatsApp new privacy policy challenged in Delhi High Court
Petition against the new policy in India
A PIL has been filed challenging WhatsApp’s new privacy policy in Delhi High court and the Supreme Court, while a plea was filed by the Confederation of All India Traders, seeking directions to the Central government to take immediate action against the company as the new policy will be a harm to the security of the users.
WhatsApp’s new policy has become a topic of debate. Let’s see what will be its next stand towards putting the confidence back to its users.