Facebook-owned messaging app WhatsApp recently updated its privacy policy, which many fear is an outright breach into their personal information including battery level, signal strength, app version, browser information and mobile network.
The messaging app has updated its terms of service and privacy policy earlier, but, what worries the users now ? The answer to this question is not apparent at this point. However, the ultimatum of sorts given by the app to accept the new policy by February 8 seems to have alarm bells ringing among users.
WhatsApp still remains end-to-end encrypted even after the latest update, which means the app will not be able to read personal messages. But the real worry begins here… The app slyly elaborates on what it means by “data sharing”. Third-party apps and services including Google drive and iCloud which are used for backing up all the information stored on the messaging app will now have access to users’ private information.
Will uninstalling the app help?
No, uninstalling the app won’t help your cause. If a user just uninstalls the app from his/her device the app will still have user information which is stored on the app.
What needs to be done?
Users need to delete their accounts using the in-app delete feature which will wipe out complete information stored earlier.
Alternatives to WhatsApp
Telegram
With 400 million monthly users, Telegram stands second to WhatsApp in terms of user base. The messaging app also offers end-to-end encryption and offers disappearing messages. On the fun side, the app has its own animated emojis, stickers and GIFs.
Signal
With features similar to that of WhatsApp, Signal is perhaps the safest of them all and it is free for use. Every message on the app is encrypted and what adds to the safety is the disappearing messages which help messages get deleted automatically up on setting a timer.
Slack
Slack is the right platform for your office conversations, it is also deemed as a slayer of emailing when it comes to organizational chat. The platform, though not popular for private conversations, offers encryption of messages.
Threema
Verification of contacts using QR codes, logging in using an 8-digit ID instead of phone numbers and end-to-end encryption for calls, messages, file sharing are some of the most useful features of the private messaging app. Disappearing messages adds to the list safety features of the app which makes it another good alternative for WhatsApp.
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