WhatsApp is again being talked about by social media users on Twitter. In fact, #UninstallWhatsApp is also busy appearing on these social media.
Many netizens have questioned what really happened to WhatsApp, especially regarding the privacy policy that the service recently announced.
Based on official information, this privacy policy update actually only applies to conversations with WhatsApp Business accounts. So, users are definitely not affected.
Please note, WhatsApp Business API users can now use third-party infrastructure, including Facebook to operate their services.
For this reason, conversations with business accounts that use third party infrastructure, including Facebook, may be stored by their servers. And, WhatsApp will notify you when the user communicates with an account that uses third-party hosting.
"If the user talks to a business that chooses a storage method outside of WhatsApp, we will display a notification in the chat," the company said.
Through this notification, the company provides freedom for users to continue or stop interactions with business accounts that use third party vendors.
While users of free WhatsApp Business accounts and WhatsApp Business APIs who use internal hosting services are still protected by end-to-end encryption.
"Conversations with business accounts that continue to use WhatsApp's hosting service are still protected by end-to-end encryption as usual," the company wrote, closing its statement.
7 WhatsApp Explanation Regarding the New Privacy Policy
WhatsApp at the same time provides an explanation as well as straightens up its new privacy policy. WhatsApp also denied that it shared user contacts with Facebook.
Here are 7 WhatsApp explanations regarding its new privacy policy:
1. WhatsApp and Facebook cannot view user's private messages
"Whatever you share remains between you and your friends or family. Because your private messages are protected by end-to-end encryption," WhatsApp said.
WhatsApp emphasized that it is committed not to weaken encryption security.
2. WhatsApp doesn't save messages and calls
WhatsApp ensures that it does not store call or message history belonging to its billions of users.
WhatsApp claims, storing call or message history belonging to billions of users will pose a security risk and violate user privacy.
3. WhatsApp cannot see the user's location data
According to WhatsApp, when a user shares their location with other users via WhatsApp, the location is protected by end-to-end encryption.
In other words, WhatsApp insists that no one can see the user's location, except those who are shared with this location.
4. Not Share User Contacts with Facebook
Although the privacy policy states that users must agree to the integration of WhatsApp and Facebook data or third parties, WhatsApp insists that it does not share users' contact lists with Facebook.
"We only access phone numbers from the address book (contact list) to make messaging fast and reliable. We do not share the user's contact list with other applications that Facebook offers," WhatsApp said.
5. Do not share data to Facebook for Ads
WhatsApp claims, WhatsApp groups remain private.
"We do not share this data with Facebook for advertising purposes. We emphasize again, private messages are protected by end-to-end encryption so that we cannot see the content on them," WhatsApp said.
6. User can set message to disappear automatically
To increase the level of privacy, WhatsApp users can choose to enable messages to disappear automatically, as soon as they are sent. The trick is:
- Open the WhatsApp chat
- Tap the contact name
- Tap "Dissapearing Messages", tap "Continue"
- Select "ON"
7. Users can download their WhatsApp data
WhatsApp ensures that users can download and see what information WhatsApp has from the user.
To request this data report, users can:
- Enter WhatsApp Settings> select Account> Request Account Info (Request Account Info)
- Tap Request Report. The cellphone screen will provide an update containing "Request Sent" or a request for a report has been sent to WhatsApp.