WhatsApp delays privacy policy update due to “confusion”

NY. WhatsApp decided on Friday to postpone updating its privacy policy, scheduled for February 8, to clear up the “confusion” over the use of data with Facebook, the parent company, and its new options focused on selling products.

Updating the privacy policy has raised many doubts and misinformation about whether it meant Facebook’s access to personal data, contacts or conversations on WhatsApp, the most used messaging application in the world.

You can also read: Telegram and Signal are gaining popularity after the WhatsApp fiasco

It also raised doubts that by not accepting the new terms of use, the user will lose his account and the application would disappear from the phone.

“We will delay the date when people will be asked about the revision and acceptance of the terms. No one will have their account suspended or deleted on February 8. We will also do more to clarify misinformation about how privacy and security work on WhatsApp. “the company said in a statement.

Facebook and its popular messaging affiliate have repeatedly tried to deny that with the new rules, they will access the content of messages or calls, as well as contact lists or groups or shared geolocation.

In Friday’s statement, WhatsApp assured that “this update does not extend” its ability to “share data with Facebook” and promised to explain without hesitation the new usage policy “before the trading options become available on May 15.”

Several media outlets have reported that the new privacy terms will include a more open language, which has invited speculation that Facebook will access WhatsApp data, while the company has insisted that everything responds to a greater role and functionality with which to communicate. doing business and shopping.

“Although people do not use WhatsApp to buy from companies today, we believe that more people will choose to do so in the future and it is important for the world to be aware of these services.”it was said in the statement.

The messaging app, with about 2 billion users, fears a massive exodus from Telegram and Signal, which have positioned themselves as the most jealous when it comes to preventing the collection and use of metadata from their users, in despite the fact that WhatsApp also encrypts calls.

Many groups have used the confusion about WhatsApp to spread misinformation about the use of private data by Facebook, which has also been heavily criticized in the United States by groups of all kinds, first, for not controlling the language. white supremacist groups and subsequently to ban access.