(Reuters) – Facebook Inc’s WhatsApp said Thursday that it is continuing its controversial privacy policy update, but will allow users to read it at “their own pace” and will also display a banner with additional information.
In January, the messaging platform informed users that it was preparing a new privacy policy that would allow it to share limited user data with Facebook and its group companies.
It sparked global outrage and sent users to competing apps Telegram and Signal, among others, prompting WhatsApp to delay the launch of the new policy until May and to clarify that the update aimed to allow users to message with companies and would not affect personal conversations.
In India, the messaging app’s largest user base, Facebook executives asked a parliamentary panel questions about the need for the changes, days after the Tech Ministry asked the messaging platform to withdraw them.
In its latest blog bit.ly/3ufc9Eq, WhatsApp said it will remind users to view and accept updates to continue using the messaging platform.
“We’ve also added more information to address the concerns we hear,” he added.
WhatsApp’s announcement comes as parent Facebook blocked all news content in Australia on Thursday, facing backlash from publishers and politicians, prompting a senior UK lawmaker to label the move as an attempt to bully a democracy.
Reporting by Shubham Kalia and Anuron Kumar Mitra in Bengaluru; Adaptation by Krishna Chandra Eluri