Popular messaging app, WhatsApp has said in a statement released via its blog that the misinformation being spread about its new privacy policy is "causing concern”, as users have started to switch to alternatives believing that the privacy policy update effectively forces them to share personal data with WhatsApp parent company, Facebook.
The blog statement clarifies that the new update will not change the app's messaging system.
"We will always protect your personal conversations with end-to-end encryption, so that neither WhatsApp nor Facebook can see these private messages,” it said. "We also can’t see your shared location and we don’t share your contacts with Facebook."
Thank you to everyone who’s reached out. We're still working to counter any confusion by communicating directly with @WhatsApp users. No one will have their account suspended or deleted on Feb 8 and we’ll be moving back our business plans until after May - https://t.co/H3DeSS0QfO
— WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) January 15, 2021
"Instead, the update includes new options people will have to message a business on WhatsApp, and provides further transparency about how we collect and use data," the company added.
Most notably, the statement emphasized that no user will have their account suspended or deleted by Feb. 8.
Interestingly, one of the most debatable issues about the update is that it will not take effect for users in the EU due to the region's strict (digital) privacy legislations, a fact which was omitted in the press release.