WhatsApp drops messages on ‘Status’, says ‘committed to your privacy’; netizens unconvinced

Tribune Web Desk
Chandigarh, January 17

WhatsApp users woke up to four messages on their status from a contact named, ‘WhatsApp’.

The messages were, ‘we are committed to your privacy’, ‘WhatsApp can’t see your shared location’, ‘WhatsApp can’t read or listen to your personal conversations as they’re end to encrypted’ and ‘WhatsApp doesn’t share your contacts with Facebook’.

WhatsApp is facing heat from its users over its impending new privacy feature. Some have already migrated to a ‘safer’ messaging service Signal or the Telegram.

Netizens had mixed reactions to this.

While some appreciated the gesture, others were not convinced, and termed it as “damage control” exercise. Several users didn’t hesitate to announce their happy move to Signal.

A few pointed out that WhatsApp being able to notify without users saving its contact showed the flaw in their new privacy policy. 

I will find most amazing what's app status by what's app today morning..
They really cares.
Confused....@WhatsApp @wa_status pic.twitter.com/BhzLHNiLAL

— Gaurang Joshi (@gaurangjoshi5) January 17, 2021

#WhatsappStatus
Whatsapp morning status - " your chats are end to end encrypted and nobody can see them.
Meanwhile public:- pic.twitter.com/F85Dy9w2bd

— Harsh Choubey (@Harshchoubey44) January 17, 2021

Sunday Stated with Whatsapp's status.
Height of damage control....
Anyways nothing is going to stop me from deleting whats app account. #WhatsAppPrivacyPolicy #WhatsappStatus #SignalApp #usesignal pic.twitter.com/x1njujWKns

— Saurabh Bakare (@saurabhbakare4) January 17, 2021

This is how whatsapp respects our privacy... Though I have not saved whatsapp number I can see their status. @wa_status @WhatsApp#WhatsappStatus pic.twitter.com/8sjV4nwrLC

— Mohamed Farook (@mdfarock) January 17, 2021

If @WhatsApp secure my personal detatils. Then how you find my number to send this status???? 🧐🧐🧐😯 @WhatsApp pic.twitter.com/8rTIwh4sLo

— Mayukh Kundu (@MayukhKundu1) January 17, 2021

@WhatsApp without being my contact how could you show up in my whatsapp Status and put up 4 stories? #WhatsAppPrivacyPolicy pic.twitter.com/2hWiMbtYsF

— deepanshu dhingra (@deepanshu_dd) January 17, 2021

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.