WhatsApp Attempts To Alleviate User Concerns, Again
February 20, 2021It seems as though the WhatsApp team has gone into ‘full’ damage control mode. The mass migration of users to rival messaging apps has probably rattled feathers at parent company, Facebook. That is why it has going on a campaign to reassure users of its commitment to privacy. And to allay concerns, it has repeatedly posted information and notifications about the topic.
In its latest blogpost, WhatsApp says that it will share “updated plans for how we’ll ask WhatsApp users to review our terms of service and privacy policy”. The problem stemmed from the company’s failure to convey an accurate and transparent picture of how it intends to safeguard user privacy with regard to the newly integrated business features.
The initial message was convoluted and confusing, that is what caused the mass hysteria. Now however, WhatsApp says that it pertains to WhatsApp business, which is “entirely optional”. “Personal messages will always be end-to-end encrypted, so WhatsApp can’t read or listen to them.”
The company also said the following:
“We also think it’s important people know how we can provide WhatsApp for free. Every day millions of people start a WhatsApp chat with a business because it’s easier to do so than placing a phone call or exchanging emails.”
“We charge businesses to provide customer service on WhatsApp – not people. Some shopping features involve Facebook so that businesses can manage their inventory across apps. We display more information directly in WhatsApp so people can choose if they want to engage with businesses, or not.”
In the coming weeks, you may see a banner on WhatsApp, which will provide more information about the business features and explanations on user privacy. The company says it doesn’t snoop on user chats or does it provide your personal information to third parties.
WhatsApp chats use end-to-end encrypted, which is supposed to provide a more secure way of communicating via chat. Data that is sent back and forth between users is encrypted to ensure that only the sender and recipient have access to the conversation.
