What is the "WhatsApp Privacy" Debate?

 

WhatsApp is an inevitable and integral part of our lives nowadays. We just cannot think of a day when we don't check messages or put up a status. What will happen if the platform just stops its operations in the country? Unimaginable...

That's, not probably, going to happen.

However, this year the messaging giant unknowingly opened Pandora's box (especially for India) when it updated its privacy policy, wherein, it openly stated that it will share yours, mine, and everybody else's data with Facebook and its companies like FB Messenger, Instagram, etc.

The earlier update, in 2020, that the platform brought out had an option for you to opt out.  But now there's only an "agree" button to it, so you can't disagree. Oops!

The question here is, "Is the sharing of our data a huge problem?". The short answer is "Maybe".

WhatsApp has, repeatedly, ensured that there is end-to-encryption for personal chats. No third person can read the content. But the one thing to be noted here is that the Facebook and Instagram messages are not encrypted! The companies can catch keywords from your messages for targeted marketing.

If not messages, then what data will be shared? WhatsApp can share other data which it can get from you! Like your name, profile picture, status updates, contact details, etc.  And the end-to-encryption won't work for the WhatsApp business account! Hence, WhatsApp can share your data with the above-mentioned companies who in turn can sell the data to brands and advertising companies. That's how their business model works.

What is the Indian Govt. saying?

It is threatening legal action but the giant won't back down easily. The government approached WhatsApp with a stick! WhatsApp has said that it would wait for the government to introduce the Private Data Protection Law before it limits its user features for the country but would keep reminding them about the policy. The lesson for India here is that it should revise its data protection laws first.

The consumers in the EU are not obliged to share the data. They can even withdraw their consent for processing data, primarily, because of a strong GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation).

What are the possible solutions here for you?

Well, switch to other alternate messaging apps like Signal, Telegram, etc. They offer great services and they're found on the principle of "Data Privacy First".

If you still want to continue to use WhatsApp, then make use of a VPN. This will ensure that the company is not unable to track your IP address.  NordVPN, ProtonVPN, TunnelBear app, etc. are some of the best ones that you can use.

If possible, don't use any business account on WhatsApp. They don't need to chat with you about business needs.

The general idea here is that the government needs to be prepared for such approaches from foreign companies. As an aware consumer, you should have the right to consent whether you want to part with your data or not.