WhatsApp to users: 7 reasons your chats are safe after new policy update
Facebook-owned WhatsApp recently updated its privacy policy which allows tighter integration of the social-messaging app with Facebook. With the new privacy policy, the company is compelling users’ to either accept the new terms or else their account will be deleted.
This started a new debate on privacy and a users’ control over their data. Considering the ruckus that the new policy has created, a response was awaited from the instant-messaging platform.
In an updated FAQ page, WhatsApp has answered some of the questions concerning the new policy.
Also Read: WhatsApp rolls out new privacy policy: What it means for you
“We want to be clear that the policy update does not affect the privacy of your messages with friends or family in any way. Instead, this update includes changes related to messaging a business on WhatsApp, which is optional, and provides further transparency about how we collect and use data” says WhatsApp.
The FAQ page has seven major takeaways which WhatsApp says will clear the rumours around new privacy policy:
WhatsApp can’t see your private messages or hear your calls, and neither can Facebook
The company reiterates that messages on WhatsApp are protected by end-to-end encryption and that WhatsApp will never weaken this security.
WhatsApp doesn't keep logs of who everyone is messaging or calling
WhatsApp says it does not store logs of calls and messages as keeping these records would be both a privacy and security risk for two billion users.
WhatsApp can’t see your shared location and neither can Facebook
Similar to calls and messages, location on WhatsApp is protected by end-to-end encryption, the company says.
WhatsApp doesn’t share your contacts with Facebook
WhatsApp says that it gets access to one’s phone address book only when a user gives permission. It further adds that the platform doesn’t share contacts lists with the other apps Facebook offers.
Groups remain private
WhatsApp clarifies that it doesn’t share group chats data with Facebook for ads purposes. Again, these private chats are end-to-end encrypted as well.
WhatsApp users can set their messages to disappear
WhatsApp users can download their data
A user can also check what information WhatsApp has related to his/her account right from within the app.
This started a new debate on privacy and a users’ control over their data. Considering the ruckus that the new policy has created, a response was awaited from the instant-messaging platform.
In an updated FAQ page, WhatsApp has answered some of the questions concerning the new policy.
Also Read: WhatsApp rolls out new privacy policy: What it means for you
“We want to be clear that the policy update does not affect the privacy of your messages with friends or family in any way. Instead, this update includes changes related to messaging a business on WhatsApp, which is optional, and provides further transparency about how we collect and use data” says WhatsApp.
The FAQ page has seven major takeaways which WhatsApp says will clear the rumours around new privacy policy:
WhatsApp can’t see your private messages or hear your calls, and neither can Facebook
The company reiterates that messages on WhatsApp are protected by end-to-end encryption and that WhatsApp will never weaken this security.
WhatsApp doesn't keep logs of who everyone is messaging or calling
WhatsApp says it does not store logs of calls and messages as keeping these records would be both a privacy and security risk for two billion users.
WhatsApp can’t see your shared location and neither can Facebook
Similar to calls and messages, location on WhatsApp is protected by end-to-end encryption, the company says.
WhatsApp doesn’t share your contacts with Facebook
WhatsApp says that it gets access to one’s phone address book only when a user gives permission. It further adds that the platform doesn’t share contacts lists with the other apps Facebook offers.
Groups remain private
WhatsApp clarifies that it doesn’t share group chats data with Facebook for ads purposes. Again, these private chats are end-to-end encrypted as well.
WhatsApp users can set their messages to disappear
WhatsApp users can download their data
A user can also check what information WhatsApp has related to his/her account right from within the app.
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