BT Buzz: Why WhatsApp's clarification on privacy policy is misleading
Lack of data protection bill puts India at a disadvantage and Facebook seems to be exploiting it, claim experts. They say WhatsApp has a different policy for European and non-European users
- Jan 15, 2021,
- Updated Jan 15, 2021 12:26 PM IST
Instant messaging app WhatsApp recently announced the updating of its privacy policy terms from February 8, 2021. After this date users will have no choice but to accept these terms to use the app.
This has led to a backlash with many users migrating to alternate platforms. A survey by LocalCircles finds that WhatsApp is likely to see 15% users in India move away, while 36% will reduce usage drastically.
To clear its stand, the Facebook owned messaging app has released a clarification explaining that the policy update doesn't compromise privacy of messages with friends and family. It also says that the update includes changes related to business accounts on WhatsApp which too are optional for users.
Experts feel the statements made by WhatsApp are misleading. Tripti Jain, a lawyer, researcher at Internet Democracy Project says, "This clarification/FAQ by WhatsApp aims to re-instill trust in people that they have lost because of the new privacy policy, however, it has proven to be counterproductive. In fact, what should be noticed is that the clarification briefs only about things WhatsApp cannot do. It fails to delineate what WhatsApp can do with personal data of individuals and how it does."
Instant messaging app WhatsApp recently announced the updating of its privacy policy terms from February 8, 2021. After this date users will have no choice but to accept these terms to use the app.
This has led to a backlash with many users migrating to alternate platforms. A survey by LocalCircles finds that WhatsApp is likely to see 15% users in India move away, while 36% will reduce usage drastically.
To clear its stand, the Facebook owned messaging app has released a clarification explaining that the policy update doesn't compromise privacy of messages with friends and family. It also says that the update includes changes related to business accounts on WhatsApp which too are optional for users.
Experts feel the statements made by WhatsApp are misleading. Tripti Jain, a lawyer, researcher at Internet Democracy Project says, "This clarification/FAQ by WhatsApp aims to re-instill trust in people that they have lost because of the new privacy policy, however, it has proven to be counterproductive. In fact, what should be noticed is that the clarification briefs only about things WhatsApp cannot do. It fails to delineate what WhatsApp can do with personal data of individuals and how it does."