Do You Know Enough About WhatsApp's Newly Updated Privacy Policies?


WhatsApp is in turmoil after its new privacy policy update, which proposes further data sharing to its parent association Facebook. Users need to acknowledge the new terms and conditions of this new policy of WhatsApp by February 8, 2021.

Users will not be able to access their WhatsApp accounts if they do not accept the new terms and agreements. While the new security strategy for WhatsApp causes some worries in users particularly concerning Facebook and their data sharing, there are many stories too in the market regarding this policy.

 


Misinformation Related to New Policies

 

1. Publicizing of Private Messages

 

There are a lot of rumours regarding the new policies of WhatsApp. One of the major concerns is that WhatsApp will now share user's messages with Facebook. So, the biggest concern is that the new policy does not change the feature in earlier private messaging.

 

It will continue to remain end-to-end encrypted which means that no other person will read the message except sender and receiver. As a result, a user's private chats or calls can neither be read by WhatsApp nor Facebook. 

 

Instead, messages are stored on users' devices and not typically stored on servers, and even once the messages are delivered to the recipient then they are deleted from servers too.

 

2. WhatsApp Will Acquire Content Shared on the App

 

The second misconception is that WhatsApp will now acquire the content, media files that will be shared on the app. it should be clear that WhatsApp does not record or hear the audio and video calls that are done by WhatsApp. 

 

The content will be continued to remain end-to-end encrypted, just like our text messages. WhatsApp only stores the user's media for a short period of time. Thus, the content finally remains only on the two devices which are of the sender and receiver, and not on WhatsApp’s servers.

 

3. Users Location is Left Unprotected

 

The third misunderstanding is regarding the locations of WhatsApp users. The location is also protected like other content. In case users share their live location with anyone then that information is not communicated to Facebook. 

 

But it is true that the rough location of users can still be found out by WhatsApp with the help of the user's phone number and IP address. 

 

4. WhatsApp to Show Ads

 

Many controversies are there which says WhatsApp will now show ads. For now, WhatsApp continues to be an ad-free messaging service. But there is a possibility that WhatsApp can show ads in the future. But still, there will be no third-party banner ads on services. 

 

WhatsApp does not store any type of user's messages. Users can back up their message with the use of Google Drive or Apple iCloud. But the privacy of data that is backed up on Drive or iCloud depends on companies like Google or Apple, even if it is encrypted data. 

 

So, in case of doubt related to the safety of our messages, then users should not back up their data.


 

Alternatives to WhatsApp

 

There are several alternatives to WhatsApp available today. These may be apps which may give the user a feeling of safety and privacy. Today there are several apps in the market advertised as the best. This results in many people being influenced by it and opting it.


The first one on our list is Telegram. Telegram is one of the fastest-growing apps. It also provides features like 'secret chat' which comes under the end-to-end encrypted protocol.

 

The second one is the app called ‘Signal', which is a popular chatting app with a high level of privacy and user security. Signal also provides an end-to-end encryption protocol. Viber is also one of the very popular free apps. 


 

Some Loopholes in WhatsApp Features 

 

Recently, WhatsApp introduced payments feature in India. As a result, if users use WhatsApp Pay then additional information like users’ payment account and transaction information. As this is the information required to complete the transaction, the company will now have users with this type of payment details too. 

 

WhatsApp newly launched WhatsApp Business, which allows businesses to reach and communicate with clients through this app. While chats between users and a Business are end-to-end encrypted, WhatsApp says that once the message is received, it will be answerable to the business’s privacy policies. 

 

Hence, it may be feasible that some businesses will be choosing Facebook to securely store messages and react to customers. As a result, businesses will be able to use chats they receive for their marketing purposes, which may incorporate advertising on Facebook. 

 

Thus, after knowing all about the updated policy if users want to continue using WhatsApp, they need to accept the new terms and conditions. If they do not want to continue using it then WhatsApp will be deleting their account. 

 

If users will delete their accounts then WhatsApp will delete their undelivered messages on its servers along with other information. But it does not affect the information other users have related to the account which is deleted, such as their copy of the messages which is sent to them by a specific deleted account.


 

Conclusion

 

Though there are many misconceptions regarding the new policy but many customers are still sceptical towards company Facebook when it comes to data privacy.

 

Though WhatsApp claims that its updated policy will enhance its services, it remains a fact that the updated policy will alter the user's privacy. Facebook will have users' mobile phone numbers and users’ activity as users often use WhatsApp, their profile photo, status, and ‘about’ information. 

 

It will also possess device information like mobile network and IP address. However, there are still many alternative options that are available in the market today. It depends on users' concerns and choices where they feel safe about their data privacy.


 

Written by - Supriya Singh


Edited by - Christeena George