WhatsApp has started using status messages to remind users of the “commitment to your privacy” of the messaging service after the recent confusion over changes to its privacy policy last month.
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The message begins: “WhatsApp is already in status.” “Here we will inform you of new features and updates. Something that is not new is our commitment to your privacy. WhatsApp cannot read or listen to your personal conversations as they are encrypted from end to end. Stay tuned to more updates. “
Messages built into the Stories-style app began popping up over the weekend for users in the U.S. and UK, while reports in India have received them for more time. In a statement given to The Verge, WhatsApp explained the reasoning behind the move:
“There has been a lot of misinformation and confusion surrounding our recent update and we want to help everyone understand the facts behind how WhatsApp protects people’s privacy and security,” a WhatsApp spokesman told The Verge. “From now on, we will provide updates to people on the Status tab so that people have news directly from WhatsApp. Our first update reaffirms that WhatsApp can’t see your personal messages and Facebook can’t either, because they are fully protected ending the encryption. “
WhatsApp first announced its new terms of use earlier this month and changes at the time that suggested WhatsApp would share additional data with Facebook, such as phone number, service-related information, IP address and transaction data. Since then, WhatsApp has made it clear that the update does not affect the sharing of data with Facebook in terms of user chats or profile information, but that the new terms apply to those who use the feature. business chat.
Through posts on social media, WhatsApp has assured users that its privacy policy update does not affect the privacy of messages. It has also been added to your frequently asked questions to address user privacy issues related to data sharing with Facebook.
However, this has not stopped the exodus of millions of users of the service to rival messaging applications such as Telegram and Signal, which have taken advantage of the situation in their favor.
Since then, Telegram has added the ability for users to import their chat history from WhatsApp so they don’t miss old conversations, while Signal recently received an update containing several new features clearly designed to attract older WhatsApp users. .
Due to the confusion, WhatsApp says it has opted to delay new changes to the privacy policy for three months, but does not cancel them.