What the FAQ: Everything about WhatsApp's privacy policy and why Elon Musk wants us to switch to Signal

There has been a lot of chatter on the internet about WhatsApp's new privacy policy, more so after Tesla CEO Elon Musk asked netizens, on Twitter, to switch to an alternate messaging app called Signal. Social media has been flooded with memes, questions and people are curious to know more about the app, why they should switch, what are the terms WhatsApp has put forward and a lot more. And we have the answers right here. Here are six of the most-asked questions or FAQs people want to know the answers to. Let's go!

What is WhatsApp's new privacy policy all about?
Ans: WhatsApp's new privacy policy entails more insight on integration with Facebook, its parent company and how a user's data can be impacted when they interact with a business account on the platform. The new policy goes on to explain how businesses get data when a user interacts with them on the platform. The messages or its content will be visible to “several people in that business,” states the new policy. It further explains “businesses might be working with third-party service providers (which may include Facebook) to help manage their communications with their customers”. WhatsApp has requested its users to read the “business’ privacy policy or contact the business directly” in order to understand how a specific business will handle the user's content.

What impact does WhatsApp's integration with Facebook have on its users?
Ans: WhatsApp has already been sharing data such as account information, IP address, mobile device-related information, transaction details and more with its parent company Facebook. The reason for further integration provided by the company has to do with better security and thus improve the overall user experience.

By when do you have to accept the new terms?
Ans: Users have until February 8, 2021, to accept the new terms and conditions that WhatsApp's new privacy policy lays out.

Is it mandatory to accept the privacy policy?
Ans: Yes. Most software requires you to accept their terms and conditions, which is quite a standard procedure. If you do not want to accept them, you are free to switch to other messages apps or platforms that may seem more suitable for your needs. Since WhatsApp announced its policy changes, people across the world have been switching to alternatives such as Telegram and Signal.

Use Signal

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 7, 2021

What is Signal, the app that Tesla CEO Elon Musk is asking people to switch to?
Ans: Signal is a cross-platform end-to-end encrypted messaging service that is supported on Windows, ioS and Android devices. Much like WhatsApp, through Signal you can make video and audio calls, send links, documents, photos and more. And it is free to use!

What are Signal's privacy features?

Ans: The app cannot decrypt or even access the content of your message or even calls. It has quite a long list of privacy features including relay calls, turning off read receipts etc. You can turn off the 'read receipt' on your app which will prevent others from seeing if you have or when you have read their texts. The option relay calls when turned on will avoid revealing your IP address as it will then be connected through a Signal server. There's also an option to turn off the typing action indicator if you don't want the other person to see that you are.

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