You know how WhatsApp is so much a part of our lives that we now use nomenclature like ‘WhatsApp Uncle’ and ‘WhatsApp University’ in our daily conversation? Precisely because WhatsApp has so ensconced itself into our daily lives, the new privacy update came as a shocker and there was huge pushback against it. The messaging app’s earlier my-way-or-the-highway attitude has become a lot more conciliatory, but people are still angry.
WhatsApp had informed us that if we didn’t accept their new terms and conditions by February we would not be allowed to use their services. That deadline is now pushed back. For the time being we can continue to use the messaging app without accepting its new privacy policy.
Millions have uninstalled WhatsApp and moved to other messaging apps such as Telegram and Signal.
The fact that so many deleted their WhatsApp and migrated to other platforms came as a rude shock; forcing the company to do some damage control.
This mass exodus seems to have alarmed WhatsApp. Not only have they pushed back the acceptance deadline in what is seen to be a major climb-down, they initiated the WhatsApp Status.
WhatsApp users noticed that a WhatsApp status was visible in the app --- this without saving any such number.
What is that and where did it come from, people wanted to know.
This is where people generally share stories of heartbreak and/or pearls of wisdom; what is this doing here, they wanted to know.
Users found it ironical that the status claims to value our privacy while seeming to do the opposite.
WhatsApp didn’t ask for our permission before doing this.
WhatsApp users are now convinced that the app is snooping into their personal chats and has all their sensitive personal information.
The messaging app seems to be at pains to try and convince users that they aren’t spying on us; that they are trying to protect our privacy.
However, the WhatsApp status seems to have done the opposite. Instead of being reassured, people seem even more suspicious.
WhatsApp has randomly entered all of our phones; pinning itself to the top of the list of contact statuses.
The reaction of many has been, thanks, but no thanks WhatsApp.
The steps taken by the management seems to indicate that they’re running scared.
Recent leaks of WhatsApp conversations involving celebs and other public figures have further eroded faith of users.
The problem is people have lost faith in WhatsApp recently because of its highhanded behaviour. This is a difficult situation to retrieve. People are considering other alternatives and find them to be perfectly workable The sort of monopoly that WhatsApp had in the messaging space is now broken – and this can only be a good thing for all of us.
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