WhatsApp users’ backlash over data-sharing practice has forced Facebook to delay launch of new business features.
It announced on Friday that the users need not review and accept its updated terms by February 8. Their accounts will not be suspended or deleted by that date, it added.
Privacy advocates criticised Facebook for its poor track record of safeguarding consumers’ interests when handling their data.
WhatsApp clarified that the users’ personal conversation will continue to have end-to-end encryption or expand its ability to share data with Facebook.
“The update includes new options people will have to message a business on WhatsApp, and provides further transparency about how we collect and use data,” it said.
WhatsApp has now set May 15 for the launch of the business tools.
The delay in launch of new feature is a setback for WhatsApp’s plan to generate revenue by facilitating commercial exchanges on the messaging app, which Facebook acquired for $19 billion in 2014 but has been slow to monetize.
