WhatsApp Says It Won't Limit Functionality If You Refuse Its Privacy Policy -- For Now (thenextweb.com) 10
Since it was first announced in January, WhatsApp's new privacy policy has received a lot of criticism not only for sharing a significant amount of user data with Facebook but because the app threatened to cut functionality over time if users didn't accept it. Now, according to The Next Web, the Facebook-owned app says it won't restrict any functionality, even if you don't accept the policy for now. From the report: [WhatsApp said in statement:] "Given recent discussions with various authorities and privacy experts, we want to make clear that we currently have no plans to limit the functionality of how WhatsApp works for those who have not yet accepted the update. Instead, we will continue to remind users from time to time about the update as well as when people choose to use relevant optional features, like communicating with a business that is receiving support from Facebook."
In the future, this could change, but WhatsApp is trying to keep its user base, and governments around the world happy. After the policy was first introduced in January, a ton of users started shifting to other platforms such as Telegram and Signal. Last week, India asked WhatsApp to retract its privacy policy. It sent a notice to WhatsApp saying that the new policy is in violation of the country's laws.
In the future, this could change, but WhatsApp is trying to keep its user base, and governments around the world happy. After the policy was first introduced in January, a ton of users started shifting to other platforms such as Telegram and Signal. Last week, India asked WhatsApp to retract its privacy policy. It sent a notice to WhatsApp saying that the new policy is in violation of the country's laws.
Bluff called (Score:1)
Wasn’t it just a few weeks ago where WhatsApp said there was no mass migration to other messaging platforms?
Yeah, knew it was a bluff to try to trick people into accepting their terms. Guess enough people remembered their promise made when FB bought them (which the new terms broke). Not a word from the feds, guess Mark paid off the right people before doing this.
The Policy is in place (Score:2)
Whether you accept it or not is irrelevant
Re: (Score:2)
Whether you accept it or not is irrelevant
Except in the EU, where prosecutors must be waiting to pounce on WhatsApp for violating GDPR. A portion of FB's global gross revenue is very attractive.
Deleted WA months ago. (Score:1)
Havenâ(TM)t missed it. I guess if youâ(TM)re addicted to groups then itâ(TM)s harder to dump. Everyone I know is on Signal and/or Telegram anyway.
Not sure the relevance of WhatsApp these days... (Score:3, Insightful)
I am not sure why people bother with WhatsApp, especially with Signal and Telegram out there, both of which have decent security. Even if WhatsApp passes muster with end to end encryption and messages not remaining on servers, the fact it is owned by FB and the privacy policy changes should get people to go find something else.
I have a feeling WhatsApp and FB Messenger will likely merge completely, sooner or later. All the more reason to find something else.
Re: Not sure the relevance of WhatsApp these days. (Score:2)
Re: (Score:1)
No, but you can start by installing a second app like Signal and communicate with those friends who use it on there and encourage others to do so.
You won't change overnight, but by consciously helping people shift, or pay attention to the alternatives one message at a time, you're driving that change.
I started by just getting my wife to switch to signal so we could just text each other when we're at work or the shops or whatever. Wasn't long before I noticed a few friends also had it and started using it fo
Re: (Score:2)
This is great advice.
Re: Not sure the relevance of WhatsApp these days (Score:2)
Yeah, there are countries like Argentina where most cell phone companies charge data per byte except WA text.
We will continue to remind users from time to time (Score:1)