‘We Cannot See Your Private Messages’ – WhatsApp Reacts To Backlash Against New Privacy Policy
Following the backlash that trailed its announcement of a new privacy policy which users are being forced to accept before February 8, WhatsApp has issued a clarification to “address some rumours” on the new policy.
WhatsApp had been trending on Twitter for the last few days, with users threatening to switch to alternative messaging platforms like Telegram and Signal over the new data policy.
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Some users had raised concerns that by sharing WhatsApp data with Facebook, the messaging app may be leaking their private messages and other personal information to Facebook users.
The world’s richest man and CEO of Tesla, Elon Musk, had also called for WhatsApp users to switch to rival messaging app, Signal, amid the harsh feedback received by the Facebook-owned company.
But reacting in a tweet on Tuesday, WhatsApp reiterated that messages sent over its messaging app are end-to-end encrypted, therefore can neither be seen by WhatsApp or Facebook.
“We want to address some rumors and be 100% clear we continue to protect your private messages with end-to-end encryption.
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“Our privacy policy update does not affect the privacy of your messages with friends or family…,” it said. It also shared the following as information that WhatsApp does not share with Facebook.
- WhatsApp cannot see your private messages or hear your calls and neither can Facebook.
- WhatsApp does keep logs of who everyone is messaging or calling.
- WhatsApp cannot see your shared location and neither can Facebook.
- WhatsApp does not share your contacts with Facebook.
- WhatsApp groups remains private.
- You can set your messages to disappear.
- You can download your data.
