Earlier this week, WhatsApp started rolling out in-app notifications to Android and iOS users revealing an update in its Terms of Service and privacy policy. The notification informed users of an update in the way user data is handled by the platform, how businesses can use Facebook hosted services to store and manage, and the company partners with Facebook to offer integrations across the Facebook Company Product. It further alerted users that they need to agree to the new terms and policy by 8 February 2021 in order to continue using the application.
Since the update, there has been a lot of conversation on the internet about WhatsApp sharing user information with Facebook. Many users on Twitter have been coaxing one another into getting off WhatsApp and making a shift to other encrypted messengers like Signal and Telegram.
Tesla, SpaceX and Boring Company CEO Elon Musk joined in the conversation too, asking people to leave WhatsApp. Late last night, he posted on Twitter, “Use Signal”.
Use Signal
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 7, 2021
In Sri Lanka too people have started moving to other platforms such as Signal including prominent figures such as Ministers.
