In early January, WhatsApp announced the upcoming implementation of a new privacy policy that would allow certain user data to be shared with parent company Facebook. After the disapproving reaction of its users, the intelligence service finally chose it postpone deployment to May 15, 2021. No question about giving it up. WhatsApp just wants to give its users more time Better understand the pros and cons these new rules.
WhatsApp wants to reassure its users
The announcement of the updated WhatsApp Terms of Use and Privacy Policy met with strong reactions from users. Given the Facebook group’s many antics in terms of privacy protection, they feared that the content of their private discussions would soon be shared with Mark Zuckerberg’s social network, especially for commercial purposes. A fear that sparked record spikes in downloads for Telegram and Signal, two competing messaging services.
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However, according to WhatsApp, users have had nothing to worry about since then Your chats are always protected in the same way. “The privacy and security of your personal messages and calls does not change. They are protected by end-to-end encryption and neither WhatsApp nor Facebook can read or listen to them. We will never weaken this security and let this information appear in every discussion so that you can be aware of our commitment. “explained the courier in a blog post.
Even more the application promise when “The history of the recipients of messages sent or calls made” does not keep WhatsApp groups private and neither they nor Facebook can see your shared location. After all, users can still delete their messages just as they can download all of their data.
The new data protection declaration from @ Whatsapp does not affect the confidentiality of your exchanges with loved ones. More information can be found here @ Whatsapp protects your privacy and what is NOT shared with @Facebook :: https://t.co/phGUFtLzm0 https://t.co/4JWzfaAclQ
– Facebook France (@FacebookFR) January 12, 2021
A misunderstanding at the origin of the controversy?
In reality, the new terms and conditions imposed by WhatsApp would be specific to Features that make it easier for users to communicate with companies. The courier service takes care of that “This update includes new options for people who want to notify a company via WhatsApp.”and offer more at the same time “Transparency about how we collect and use data”. What’s more, the app promises that “This update is not being used to increase our capacity to share data with Facebook.”.
Additionally, the messaging service believes that updating its privacy policy will allow its users to do so discover new companies Especially thanks to the integration of Facebook ads “A button to send a message to a company with WhatsApp”. It is also stated that “Facebook may use the way you interact with these ads to personalize the ads you see on Facebook.”.
WhatsApp also ensures that these new rules lead to this Access to better customer service :: “Some large companies need to use hosting services to manage their communications. For this reason, we offer companies the option to use secure Facebook hosting services to manage WhatsApp chats with their customers. ” Here again, The messaging service is half-heartedly taking on its marketing ambitionsby drowning in comparison to other services: ” Whether you communicate with a company by phone, email, or WhatsApp, they can see what you say and use that information for their own marketing purposes, including Facebook ads. “.
After all, it’s a matter of Offer WhatsApp users a new shopping experience :: “Some companies with a business on Facebook or Instagram may also have a business on their WhatsApp business profile. That way, you can see a company’s product on Facebook and Instagram and buy directly from WhatsApp. “. To this topic, The application remains vague about how user data is collected and usedI just promise “If you choose to interact with stores, we’ll let you know on WhatsApp how your data is shared with Facebook.”.
The new delayed privacy policy
If this new privacy policy is clearer, WhatsApp will continue to delay implementation. Originally scheduled for launch on February 8th, it will eventually valid from May 15, 2021. The messaging service assures us that this shift is intended to give users time to understand the pros and cons of this update. We wonder if it isn’t more of a means of letting the controversy run out of steam on its own.