WhatsApp delays privacy policy changes

The encrypted messaging service WhatsApp has announced that is is moving back their plans to implement the new privacy policy after the increasing backflash by users concerned about their private data being shared with Facebook or third-parties.

WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging applications with over 2 billion users. However, the company has been under criticism about its updated privacy policy as users struggle to determine the risks of continuing their use of the service.

The service has lost millions of users as they have moved to other applications like Telegram and Signal, which has lead to WhatsApp delaying the implementation of said privacy policy in order to “counter any confusion” regarding the new terms and conditions.

The company says that it wants to “counter any confusion by communicating directly with WhatsApp users” and clarified that “no one will have their account suspended or deleted” as they have decided to move their plans to implement the new policy until after May.

Thank you to everyone who’s reached out. We're still working to counter any confusion by communicating directly with @WhatsApp users. No one will have their account suspended or deleted on Feb 8 and we’ll be moving back our business plans until after May – https://t.co/H3DeSS0QfO
— WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) January 15, 2021

“We will make sure users have plenty of time to review and understand the terms.” the company added while explaining that they “never planned to delete any accounts based on this and will not do so in the future.”

We will make sure users have plenty of time to review and understand the terms. Rest assured we never planned to delete any accounts based on this and will not do so in the future.
— WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) January 15, 2021