WhatsApp, a US-owned cross-platform messaging service, has shifted the deadline by which its users must either accept its updated terms and conditions or stop using its application.
The platform had initially fixed its cut-off date for February 8 but was heavily criticised after it sent the notification to its two billion users.
This had come due to rumours that suggested changes to the data it will share with Facebook, its parent company.
On Friday, WhatsApp issued a statement via its blog wherein it said users now have until May 15 to take action.
“We’ve heard from so many people how much confusion there is around our recent update. There’s been a lot of misinformation causing concern and we want to help everyone understand our principles and the facts,” it wrote.
“WhatsApp was built on a simple idea: what you share with your friends and family stays between you. This means we will always protect your personal conversations with end-to-end encryption.
“Neither WhatsApp nor Facebook can see these private messages. It’s why we don’t keep logs of who everyone’s messaging or calling. We also can’t see your shared location and we don’t share your contacts with Facebook.
“With these updates, none of that is changing. Instead, the update includes new options people will have to message a business on WhatsApp, and provides further transparency about how we collect and use data.”
WhatsApp also had something to say to users who had “quickly” migrated to alternative encrypted messaging apps like Telegram and Signal. It said there had been “confusion” about its new policy which it now looks to address.
“We’re moving back the date people will be asked to accept the terms. No account will be deleted on Feb 8. We’re also going to do a lot more to clear up the misinformation around privacy and security on WhatsApp,” it added.
“We’ll then go to people to review the policy at their own pace before new business options are available on May 15. We will continue to put everything we have into making WhatsApp the best way to communicate privately.
“While not everyone shops with a business on WhatsApp today, we think more people will do so in the future. It’s important people are aware of these services. This update doesn’t expand our ability to share data with Facebook.”
TheCable Lifestyle had reported how Signal, one of WhatsApp’s rival, witnessed a huge surge in downloads across the world following endorsements from Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, who doubles as the world’s richest man; and Jack Dorsey, Twitter CEO.
Telegram also witnessed tremendous growth as the cloud-based mobile and desktop messaging app raked in 500 million active users in the first week of January.
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