Facebook Inc.’s WhatsApp said on Thursday it will go ahead with its controversial privacy policy update but will allow users to read it at “their own pace” and will also display a banner providing additional information.
The messaging platform kept its users abreast in January that it was in the process of preparing a new privacy policy, under which it could share limited user data with Facebook and its group of firms.
This announcement ignited a global uproar and had its users move to rival apps such as Telegram ad Signal among others, the pressure of which pushed WhatsApp into delaying the launch of the new policy to the month of May and to make clear that the update was dedicated towards permitting users to message with businesses and would not have an effect on personalized conversations.
In India, the messaging app’s biggest user base, Facebook executives fielded questions from a parliamentary panel on the need for the changes, days after the country’s technology ministry asked the messaging platform to withdraw them. In its latest blog bit.ly/3ufc9Eq, WhatsApp said it will start reminding users to review and accept updates to keep using the messaging platform. “We’ve also included more information to try and address concerns we’re hearing,” it added.
WhatsApp’s announcement comes as parent Facebook moved to block all news content in Australia on Thursday, facing backlash from publishers and politicians, prompting a senior British lawmaker to label the move as an attempt to bully a democracy.
