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 if it meant Facebook’s access to personal data, contacts or conversations on WhatsApp, the most used messaging application in the world.
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 review and acceptance of the conditions. 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 a statement on Friday, WhatsApp said that “this update does not extend” its ability to “share data with Facebook” and promised to explain the new policy without haste “before business options become available on May 15.” . .
Several stores have reported that the new privacy terms will include more open language, prompting speculation that Facebook will access WhatsApp data, while the company insisted that everything responds to a greater role and functionality to communicate with companies and make acquisitions.
“Although people do not use WhatsApp to buy from businesses 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,” the statement said.
The messaging app, with about 2,000 million 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 their users’ metadata, 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.