February 18 (Reuters) – Facebook Inc.’s WhatsApp said on Thursday that it will go ahead with its controversial privacy policy update, but that it will allow users to read it at its own pace and will also display a banner that will provide additional information.
The messaging platform set new conditions in January, aimed at increasing business transactions on the platform.
The policy update would allow the Facebook owner and its affiliates to collect user data, including their phone number and location, which caused a worldwide outcry and a flurry of new users to competitors Telegram and Signal , others.
WhatsApp then moved to delay the launch of the new policy in May from February and tried to clarify that the update focused on allowing users to send messages with companies and would not affect personal conversations, which will continue to have end-to-end encryption.
In its latest blog post, WhatsApp said it will start reminding users to review and accept updates to continue using the messaging platform.
“We have also included more information to try to solve the problems we feel,” he added. (Report by Shubham Kalia in Bengaluru; Edited by Krishna Chandra Eluri)