WhatsApp appears to have backpedaled on the decision to enforce its new terms of use as its users concerned about privacy flocked to rivals Telegram and Signal.
Following the backlash and privacy concerns, millions users fled Facebook-owned WhatsApp as rival encrypted-messaging apps Signal and Telegram (both collect far less data) are reporting massive surges in new users.
Rival encrypted messaging app Signal tweeted many are jumping ship, a transition encouraged by a simple tweet from Elon Musk, the world’s newly crowned richest man.
Use Signal
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 7, 2021
Verification codes are currently delayed across several providers because so many new people are trying to join Signal right now (we can barely register our excitement). We are working with carriers to resolve this as quickly as possible. Hang in there.
— Signal (@signalapp) January 7, 2021
The mandatory changes were set to take effect on February 8, 2021 (now extended to May 15) and if users don’t accept the new privacy policy before that, they will no longer be able to use the service.
You can find here more details of the changes and what WhatsApp will share and what options and alternatives you have moving forward.
We are in an era of historically unprecedented opportunities for social connection, engagement and communications. Although WhatsApp may still continue to grow, those who leave the platform reveal interesting trends which hint at how future relationships with smart technology, personal data and social media will play out.