[ad_1]
WhatsApp is launching a second attempt to get its users to agree to an updated privacy policy after the initial effort in January sent many people to rival messaging apps.
Protest in January over perceived changes in Facebookaccess to data ruined the company’s first attempt to move Whatsapp users in a new privacy agreement.
The company emphasized that the update was not about changing data-sharing practices with Facebook, which owns WhatsApp, but is only about allowing users to talk to businesses within the app.
WhatsApp says update will allow people to chat with businesses
Turning the messaging app into a platform for businesses, as a customer service channel, as well as a payment and shopping platform, has been a focus for Facebook for many years.
But the policy update designed to introduce these features led to privacy concerns, in part due to the February 8 deadline when users would have to accept or not be able to use the app.
It was also partially spurred by alternative apps that were released for WhatsApp’s user base, with allegations that the update would leave those users sharing more data with Facebook as a result.
Privacy advocates jumped into the changes to point to what they said was Facebook’s poor track record of supporting consumers’ interests in handling their data.
Many users suggested they would migrate to other platforms, with rival app Signal rising up the app charts on both iOS and Android as concerns about WhatsApp’s plans circulated.
WhatsApp paused the rollout after it “found a lot of misinformation about this update,” forcing it to “work hard to clear up any confusion.”
In a new blog post referencing the protest, the company has explained that it will try to get users to sign the new privacy agreement with a gentler approach over the next several weeks, while they provide more information.
“As a reminder, we are creating new ways to chat or shop with a company on WhatsApp that are completely optional. Personal messages will always be end-to-end encrypted, so WhatsApp cannot read or listen to them,” he added. stated the company.
“In the coming weeks, we will display a banner on WhatsApp that will provide more information that people can read at their own pace.
“We have also included more information to try and address the concerns we are hearing. Over time, we will begin to remind people to review and accept these updates to continue using WhatsApp.”
The company is now expected to give users until May 15 to accept the new terms and conditions.
