Whatsapp, the Facebook owned tech giant, has announced that it will move ahead with its policy update, which had propagated paramount backlash from its users. However, the messaging application stated that it would let users read the policy changes ‘at their own pace’, according to a report by Reuters. In addition, it will also present a banner displaying additional information.
Earlier this year, WhatsApp stirred massive controversy after announcing a change in its Privacy Policy for users, which it intended to roll out by February 2021.
The policy states: “WhatsApp must receive or collect some information in order to operate, offer, improve, understand, individualise, support and market our services. This happens, for example, when you install and use our services or access them.” This policy would not be rolled out for EU countries, as the EU has strong data protection laws, particularly the General Data Protection Regulation (EU).
In a clarification issued on January 12, WhatsApp stated that its “privacy policy update does not affect the privacy of your messages with friends or family.”
A significant amount of Whatsapp users have moved to alternate applications such as Signal, amid the controversial update to its terms of service.
