Mexico City- WhatsApp has issued a new statement regarding complaints from users who have received a notification in recent days informing them of the update the service would make to its terms and conditions and privacy policy.
While the instant messaging service had already reported that its information-sharing policy with Facebook, the parent company, had not changed for more than four years, WhatsApp issued the statement raising doubts and concerns about its users’ information handling.
In the statement, WhatsApp states the following:
-WhatsApp cannot see messages or listen to calls, and neither can Facebook.
-The platform does not log who is texting or calling as WhatsApp believes it would pose a major risk to privacy and security for its two billion users.
-WhatsApp can’t see or share users’ location, and neither can Facebook. When someone shares their location with someone else, it is secured with end-to-end encryption.
-Once users give permission to WhatsApp to access their contact book, the service only uses it to streamline communication, but does not share this information with Facebook or with other apps in its group.
-Groups on the platform remain private. This information is not shared with Facebook, nor is it used for advertising purposes. These chats also come with end-to-end encryption.
– Optionally, users can set their messages to disappear after they are read.
-Users can download their information to know what data WhatsApp stores in their accounts.
Previously, WhatsApp had already made it clear that the update was aimed at informing users about a new alternative that companies using its service should contact customers, as in the future companies can save their conversations with users to a Facebook infrastructure.
WhatsApp had already reported that this measure would be optional and that users will be notified when they participate in a chat with a company that has opted for this alternative.
“Every day millions of people around the world communicate securely with companies of all sizes via WhatsApp,” the service writes.
“We want this process to be better and easier if you want to contact a business. We will always be clear via WhatsApp when you contact a business using this feature.”
The new terms and conditions and privacy policy will take effect on February 8, 2021, so users must accept them if they want to use the service later.