WhatsApp is one of the most populous messaging apps and is owned by Zuckerberg’s controversial Facebook. The popular messaging app has two billion-plus users globally, a milestone achieved in February 2020.
But we’re not here to speak about WhatsApp popularity, at least not entirely, but that adds oomph to the bigger puzzle. I presume you’ve already heard it: WhatsApp will openly begin sharing user data with other Facebook services from February 8th, according to new changes made to the app’s privacy policy. If you don’t agree to the new terms by the deadline, you will not continue to use the service.
Taking an eagle eye at the new policies, WhatsApp will start sharing user data like account registration information, transaction data, service-related information, information on how you interact with others (including businesses) when using services, mobile device information, and your IP address. Furthermore, the company may include other data buried deep inside its extended, undecipherable Privacy Policy under ‘Information We Collect.’
Main reasons for changes? Improvement of services. Keep in mind Facebook is anything but a non-profit organization.
The new policy changes have been met with fury and rage by many users of the platform. Some have been vocal about switching to other alternatives. But that, in my view, might be too late, and the whole thing is not really worth it.
After all, Facebook laid the groundwork for data sharing back in 2016, although, at the time, it allowed users to opt-out.
However, there are many probabilities here. The fact that Facebook owns WhatsApp, a company known for its controversial moves around privacy, makes it likely that the app has already been using your data for “improving services.”
Speaking of dumping WhatsApp is easy; doing it is not.
And, who knows, sharing information here and there with other Facebook services is not entirely out of mind.
The most championed WhatsApp alternatives by netizens have been Telegram and Signal on privacy grounds.
Signal has been the most championed alternative over Telegram by some high-profile figures, including tech billionaire Elon Musk, as the most private platform, provided its non-profit grounds and stringent privacy policy that only collects your number and doesn’t link it to you.
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1347165127036977153
It’s easier to switch to Signal or Telegram but what could lack on these apps is your friends, family, and work colleagues. Hell, some businesses even use WhatsApp as the medium of connection.
And that, as you might already know, is what makes WhatsApp highly indispensable. If most, if not all, of your contacts, continue using the messaging app, you will have no option but to stay on the platform. Or are you ready to be the lone wolf among your peers and workmates?
Speaking of dumping WhatsApp is easy; doing it is not. Even if you’re that determined, how will you push your 100+ contacts to make the switch? There’s a lot at stake here.
The bottom line is, not everyone really cares about their data being shared with other Facebook products.
If that were the case, Instagram would have lost its massive userbase after it began sharing data with Facebook in updated privacy policy changes announced in December 2012 that went into effect on January 16th, 2013.
Speaking of switching, I anticipate that Telegram and Signal will see an increased number of registrations in the short-term, but, ultimately, WhatsApp will remain king in the jungle, and others will just be “other messaging platforms.” Admittedly, most of us use Telegram this way.
And if you’re still using Facebook and Instagram, which are clearly intertwined these days, will dumping WhatsApp solve any problem? I don’t think so. In fact, that will be an inconvenience to you.
But go ahead if that makes you feel free from the Zuckerberg universe.
Do you think switching is worth it? Let us know in the comments below.