Mexico City- WhatsApp has issued a new statement in the face of complaints from users who received a notification in recent days informing them of the update that would make the service in its conditions and privacy policy.
Although the instant messaging service had already reported that its information exchange policies with Facebook, its parent company, had not changed for more than four years, WhatsApp issued the statement to clarify the doubts and concerns about the handling of its users’ information.
In the statement, WhatsApp states the following:
-WhatsApp can’t see messages or listen to calls, just like Facebook can’t.
-The platform does not record who messages or calls, as WhatsApp believes it would be a major risk to privacy and security of its two billion users.
-WhatsApp cannot view or share users’ location, nor can Facebook. When someone shares their location with someone else, it is protected by end-to-end encryption.
-Once users grant permission for WhatsApp to access their contact book, the service only uses them to expedite communication, plus it does not share this information with Facebook or other apps in your group.
-Groups on the platform remain private. This information is not shared with Facebook, nor is it used for advertising purposes. These chats also feature end-to-end encryption.
-Optionally, users can set their messages to disappear once they have been read.
-Users can download their information to know what data WhatsApp stores in their accounts.
Earlier, WhatsApp had already clarified that the update was focused on informing users about a new alternative that companies that use their service have to contact customers, as businesses will, in the future, be able to store their conversations with users through a Facebook infrastructure.
WhatsApp had already reported that this measure would be optional and that users will be notified when they participate in a chat with a company that has opted for this alternative.
“Every day, millions of people around the world communicate securely with businesses of all sizes through WhatsApp,” the service wrote.
“We want this process to be better and simpler, if you want to contact a business. We will always be clear through WhatsApp when you communicate with a company that uses this feature.”
The new conditions and privacy policy will take effect on February 8, 2021, so users will have to accept them if they want to use the service later.