WhatsApp is delaying the rollout of its new privacy rules by just over three months after criticism and an exodus of users. Previously, users were supposed to agree to the new terms by Feb. 8 if they wanted to continue using the chat service, which is owned by Facebook. Now the new privacy policy should only apply from May 15, as WhatsApp announced on Friday.
According to WhatsApp, the changes are primarily about creating better opportunities for communication with companies. The end-to-end encryption, with which chat content is only visible to participating users, but not even to WhatsApp itself in plain text, will not be shaken. Nor is it a matter of extended data forwarding to Facebook. Outside the EU, WhatsApp user data flows to Facebook for advertising purposes or to improve products – but already since 2016.
Inflow from the competition
WhatsApp is the world’s most successful chat service with more than two billion users, followed by Facebook Messenger (1.3 billion). In recent weeks, WhatsApp rivals such as Telegram, Signal or Threema had reported a strong influx – because users left WhatsApp after the announcement of the new privacy policy. WhatsApp complained about the spread of false information about it, which they want to clear out more by mid-May.
- source: diepresse.at/picture: pixabay.com
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