WhatsApp assures users of privacy as it takes to status

WhatsApp users received a series of messages from the free messaging app on its Status platform, which allows users to share time-limited updates with their contacts.

The messages on the status platform streamed in on Wednesday. 

WhatsApp owned by Facebook, affirmed that it is still committed to users' privacy amid concerns that it intends to hand over their information to its parent company.

“WhatsApp is now on Status! We’ll let you know about new features and updates here. One thing that isn’t new is our commitment to your privacy,” WhatsApp stated.

The company also emphasized the integrity of the end-to-end encryption it offers. It also assured users that the app has no access to their private conversations.

The encryption also protects users from 

telecom companies and internet service providers that snoop on profiles for information. 

According to reports, last week WhatsApp uploaded a similar update for its users in India, adding a line “we do not share your contacts with Facebook.”

At the beginning of the month, the US-based messaging app faced backlash after announcing changes in the terms of service that if users accepted would result in their information being shared with Facebook.

Details that Facebook would access were in the fine print. The details included account registration details like one’s phone number, transaction data, service-related information, information on how you interact with others (including businesses) when using WhatsApp services, mobile device information, and one’s IP address.

The company had earlier given users up to February 8 to accept the new terms failure to which they would lose their accounts. The last update in itss privacy policy was in 2016.

The new terms instigated a public outcry as users migrated to rival apps like Signal and Telegram. 

According to CNN, Signal had 7.5 million installations globally from the App Store and Google Play in just four days.

WhatsApp extended the deadline to accept the new terms to May 15, in an attempt to do damage control.