WhatsApp will not see private chats, hear calls despite new policy

WhatsApp clarified concerns of users and privacy activists who questioned the “accept our data grab or get out” move

WhatsApp's new terms of service will not compromise the privacy of user messages with friends or family in any way, the company announced on its blog.

The popular messaging service recently caused a frenzy around the world after announcing its new privacy policy according to which personal data of users including phone numbers and locations would be shared with its parent company Facebook.

The facebook-owned company clarified concerns of users and privacy activists who questioned the “accept our data grab or get out” move.

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“We want to be clear that the policy update does not affect the privacy of your messages with friends or family in any way. Instead, this update includes changes related to messaging a business on WhatsApp, which is optional, and provides further transparency about how we collect and use data,” says WhatsApp.

PHOTO: WhatsApp

User chats and calls will always be protected by end-to-end encryption. The company will not be keeping a contact record for its two billion users as it is both a privacy and security risk. Further, the location being sent to friends and family will also be encrypted.

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Users can download data and see what information the company has on their account right from within the app. You can also select the disappear messages from chat option to ensure additional privacy.

Our privacy policy update does not affect the privacy of your messages with friends or family. Learn more about how we protect your privacy as well as what we do NOT share with Facebook here: https://t.co/VzAnxFR7NQ

— WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) January 12, 2021

WhatsApp will be giving businesses the option to use secure hosting services from Facebook to manage chats with their customers. Whether you communicate through phone, email or WhatsApp the tech giant can see your conversation and use it for marketing purposes.

Additionally, if you shop from businesses marketed on WhatsApp and Facebook, then your shopping activity will be used “to personalize your Shops experience and the ads you see on Facebook and Instagram,” says the company.