Anxiety has continued to mount among users of WhatsApp, a US-owned cross-platform messaging service, following the company’s latest move amid concerns over its controversial privacy policy.
The spotlight has continued to beam on the Facebook-owned platform after it announced that its two billion users must either accept its updated terms and conditions or stop using its application.
WhatsApp had initially fixed February 8 as its cut-off date but later extended it to May 15 despite the criticisms that trailed the development.
But on Wednesday, WhatsApp heightened fears among its users after it uploaded a status on its users’ devices to provide updates about its forthcoming policy.
In a set of four status posts from a contact named ‘WhatsApp’, the messaging app tried to douse concerns regarding user privacy while assuring users of the safety of the platform after its recent update.
“Whatsapp is now on Status! We’ll let you know about new features and updates here,” the status post read.
“One thing that isn’t new is our commitment to privacy. Whatsapp can’t read or listen to your personal conversations as they are end-to-end encrypted.”
Although the status disappeared after a few hours, screenshots of it went viral on social media with many users expressing their shock and disapproval on Twitter.
Some users also fear the possible introduction of unsolicited adverts by the company.
“#WhatsApp trying to win the privacy war against Signal. But we already know what it is, the strategy they are using ain’t going to help, they rather come clean and update their privacy policy to giving actual privacy to their users,” a user wrote.
“Mark Zuckerberg rented a space on my WhatsApp stories tab to drop a message for me about how he cares about my privacy. Thanks for the reassurance, I look forward to the customised Ads on WhatsApp,” another user wrote.
TheCable Lifestyle had reported how Signal and Telegram have continued to witness a surge of users amid the dusts over WhatsApp’s privacy policy.
Here is what some users had to say:
Has anyone noticed this on their #WhatsApp status today? pic.twitter.com/MBcC3a3FI4
Advertisement— Mohodi Mokoena (@Mohodi_ZA) January 27, 2021
WhatsApp is now on WhatsApp #WhatsApp pic.twitter.com/BJ8kVsdOwj
— Danny & 12.7K others (@LeinadMOfficial) January 27, 2021
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What are the differences between Mark Zuckerberg and me? I give private information on corporations to you for free, and I'm a villain. Zuckerberg gives your private information to corporations for money and he’s Man of the Year.
Julian Assange— Noam Chomsky (@noamchomskyT) January 26, 2021
Woke up to Mark Zuckerberg posting WhatsApp status on my phone as if we went to the same school. You prioritise my privacy, and so?
— Your Daddy (@ToyosiGodwin) January 27, 2021
Checking my status today and seeing WhatsApp as part of them freaked me out for real
All I see is future Ads on WhatsApp and Mark Zuckerberg becoming richer
— Pakthehub (@pakthehub) January 27, 2021
It's Mark Zuckerberg's audacity for me. My phone, my data! You're posting status like we exchanged contacts?
— stephenie with an e not a (@stephenaaay) January 27, 2021
WhatsApp Ads, WhatsApp Store, WhatsApp market place comimg soon
A Mark Zuckerberg Production https://t.co/BYe0lqDNOL
— Oluwatimilehin (@Timispeaks) January 27, 2021
When I saw the WhatsApp status on my phone this morning, I was scared of viewing o lol😂 because brother Mark zuckerberg can do and undo
— ADAVIZE❤️🌹 (@balogunadavize) January 27, 2021
He just rented a space on my WhatsApp status. Mark is on WhatsApp😁#WhatsApp #WhatsappStatus
— Eronini Gabriel (@iamgabrielsoft) January 27, 2021
So #WhatsApp appeared in my Status this morning
Does it mean they are reading my text messages too? @WhatsApp @wa_status pic.twitter.com/4TC5Lw7OXI
— Ngala Desmond (@NgalaDesmond) January 27, 2021
#WhatsApp intruding into my privacy by letting itself upload status on my tab to inform me of how my privacy is important to them. How convenient 🌚
— 20-10-2020 💐💜🪖 (@justFarabale) January 27, 2021
This explains it. #WhatsApp pic.twitter.com/lbAbrhi7iz
— Roland Anso (@bezaleel001) January 27, 2021
#WhatsApp is scaring me. 😹😹. I'll be on signal forever more. 💋
— ｡ 🎀 𝕶𝖊𝖐𝖊𝖑𝖎 𝕽𝖞𝖓🎀 (@kekeliryn) January 27, 2021
@WhatsApp begins showing statuses to everyone or at least me. @WABetaInfo 🤔 #WhatsApp #WhatsAppStatus pic.twitter.com/QmIgeavSam
— Prince B.A (@InnoCentGee) January 27, 2021
Who una dey decieve… end to end Koh back to back ni ..#WhatsApp pic.twitter.com/F8OjcDaO0p
— D Cute Prince💕💕💕 (@DCutePrince1) January 27, 2021
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