WhatsApp privacy policy update: Concerned about privacy, users look at alternative like Signal, Telegram

Tesla, SpaceX and Boring Company CEO Elon Musk has also been urging people into "Use Signal".

Tech2 News Staff|Jan 08, 2021, 19:22:37 IST

Editor's note: The article has been updated with Signal's response to the trending "dump WhatsApp" posts on Twitter.Earlier this week, WhatsApp started rolling out in-app notifications to Android and iOS users revealing an update in its Terms of Service and privacy policy. The notification informed users of an update in the way user data is handled by the platform, how businesses can use Facebook hosted services to store and manage, and the company partners with Facebook to offer integrations across the Facebook Company Product. It further alerted users that they need to agree to the new terms and policy by 8 February 2021 in order to continue using the application.[caption id="attachment_8878551" align="alignnone" width="640"]

Representational image. Reuters[/caption]Since the update, there has been a lot of conversation on the internet about WhatsApp sharing user information with Facebook. Many users on Twitter have been coaxing one another into getting off WhatsApp and making a shift to other encrypted messengers like Signal and Telegram. Tesla, SpaceX and Boring Company CEO Elon Musk joined in the conversation too, asking people to leave WhatsApp. Late last night, he posted on Twitter, "Use Signal".

Messaging app Signal has now also responded to the ongoing conversation about deleting WhatsApp.

Signal has also shared how users can transfer their group chat from some other messaging app to Signal.

Unlike WhatsApp, messengers like Signal and Telegram do not share users data. The new iOS 14 privacy feature even make it easy for users to find out how apps share their data.TechCrunch editor Mike Butcher recently tweeted about how Signal and Telegram are now better alternatives if you are concerned about your privacy.

The screenshots in the tweet compare how the different apps utilise user data. Of the four, the two Facebook platforms – WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger – share purchases, location, contacts, identifiers, financial information and others from users. Signal and Telegram, on the other hand use no data linked to users.

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