Minister for Science and Technology Chaudhry Fawad Hussain has welcomed WhatsApp’s decision to delay the change of its privacy policy terming it a positive step.
In a tweet on Saturday, he said companies like Facebook effect too many people and it is important that critical decision-making involve wider section of consumers and Data protection must be ensured at all times.
Whatsapp decision to delay the change of privacy policy is certainly a positive step,companies like facebook effect too many people and it’s important that in critical decision making involve wider section of consumers and Data protection must be ensured at all times #WhatsApp
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) January 16, 2021
Whatsapp decision to delay the change of privacy policy is certainly a positive step, companies like Facebook effect too many people and itís important that in critical decision making involve wider section of consumers and Data protection must be ensured at all time.
WhatsApp faces backlash on new data sharing policy
WhatsApp on Friday postponed a data-sharing change as users concerned about privacy fled the Facebook-owned messaging service and flocked to rivals Telegram and Signal.
The smartphone app, a huge hit across the world, canceled its February 8 deadline for accepting an update to its terms concerning sharing data with Facebook, saying it would use the pause to clear up misinformation around privacy and security.
Read more: WhatsApp faces backlash on new data sharing policy, delays it
“We’ve heard from so many people how much confusion there is around our recent update,” WhatsApp said in a blog post.
“This update does not expand our ability to share data with Facebook.”
Privacy paramount
User privacy fears have been mounting, with Uber careful to stress that a change in app terms taking effect on January 18 has nothing to do with sharing data.
Encrypted messaging app Telegram has seen user ranks surge on the heels of the WhatsApp service terms announcement, said its Russia-born founder Pavel Durov.
“People no longer want to exchange their privacy for free services,” Durov said without directly referring to the rival app.
Read more: How can you send and receive money through Whatsapp Pay?
Encrypted messaging app Signal has also seen a huge surge in demand, helped by a tweeted recommendation by billionaire tech entrepreneur Elon Musk.
WhatsApp has sought to reassure worried users, even running full-page newspaper adverts in India, proclaiming that “respect for your privacy is coded into our DNA”.
Online Int’l News with additional input by GVS News Desk