The terms of WhatsApp’s new privacy policy are causing a stir among users who use Facebook messaging services. Many believe this is one more step towards the end of privacy in this new era where it seems our most intimate data is at the mercy of any business that wishes to purchase it.
From Facebook, they announced in early 2021 that WhatsApp would share user data with the social network Facebook and with associated businesses. In addition, they have ensured that if you do not agree to the terms, your account will be virtually unusable. Users who do not agree to the new terms of this privacy policy will not be able to access their list of chat conversations and will constantly receive notice of acceptance of the terms. Although they can respond to messages through notifications.
Faced with this difficult situation, many users have opted for download other messaging alternatives in the iOS App Store and in the Google Play Store. According to the latest data, some of the alternatives to WhatsApp have seen download growth of up to 1,200% ahead of the imminent deadline for accepting the new WhatsApp policy, which has been set for May 15.
WhatsApp rivals gain high adoption rates
The announcement of WhatsApp Messenger’s new policy in January 2021 caused a huge increase in downloads of other messaging apps such as Telegram o Signal. Especially in the case of Signal, which has grown exponentially since it was not such a well-known app as Telegram.
In the first four months of 2021, as Sensor Tower reports, the alternatives led by Telegram and Signal have become the priority for many iOS and Android users. Telegram installations increased by 98% compared to the same period in 2020, reaching a total of 161 million downloads; while, on the other hand, Signal installations grew by 1192% over last year, and a total of 64.6 million downloads.
On the other hand, to the misfortune of Facebook, WhatsApp Messenger mobile app installations decreased by 43% compared to the same period as last year. Even so, the popular app continues to book the highest number of installations, a total of 172.3 million downloads.
After the January craze, the download speed of Signal and Telegram apps has been steadily slowing since then. As you can see in the Sensor Tower statistic graph, the adoption of these two apps declined during the months of February, March, and April 2021.
In January 2021, Telegram reached 63.5 million downloads, a growth of 283% from the same month of 2020, in which they reached a total of 16.6 million installs. However, since January, the mobile app sees how installs gradually decrease until April 2021, when their downloads have fallen to 26 million.
As for the Signal app, its decline was as impressive as its growth in January. In February, their installations had a figure of 7 million, while in March they reached 4 million and in April 3 million. Although compared to his downloads last year, he continues to be favored as his 2021 numbers are still much higher. In fact, we could say for sure that the makers of Signal were the biggest beneficiaries after the announcement of WhatsApp Messenger’s new privacy policy.
Figures for WhatsApp Messenger installations
As we mentioned earlier, Facebook saw its WhatsApp Messenger messaging app lose installations on iOS and Android after the controversial privacy policy terms were announced. It seems that as the deadline for accepting the terms of your new policy approaches, downloads decrease.
As of April 2020, it had 55.2 million installations and in April 2021, it had 38 million installations. But the real drop in WhatsApp installations could come from May 15, 2021, when users must agree to the new terms. We will therefore be waiting for WhatsApp adoption numbers by the rest of the year.
Everything you need to know about the new WhatsApp Messenger privacy policy
As you know, WhatsApp Messenger is an application owned by Facebook. And now the directors of the social network have decided to implement a new privacy policy that This will allow the company to share the private data of WhatsApp users on Facebook and in companies associated with Facebook.. This privacy policy came into effect on February 8 and its deadline for acceptance is May 15, 2021, i.e. tomorrow.
In summary and in short, so that we understand each other … now Facebook will sell private data such as your name, age, phone number, chats (information about how you interact with others), profile picture, information about your device and your usage patterns at most offering. In addition, this policy will provide the company with significant financial benefits through “personalized” advertising.
This is an excerpt from Facebook’s privacy policy, which makes it clear what user data is “shared” with partner companies:
“The data we share with other Facebook companies includes your account registration information (such as your phone number), transaction data, service information, information about how you interact with them. others (including businesses) when you use our services, information about your mobile device and your IP address; In addition, we may share other information as described in the “Information We Collect” section of the Privacy Policy, as well as information we obtain with your consent or notice.
You can read the full WhatsApp privacy policy here.
What will happen if you do not agree to the privacy policy of WhatsApp Messenger?
If you do not agree to the terms and conditions of WhatsApp Messenger’s controversial policy, your account could be disabled. This does not necessarily mean that Facebook has the power to delete your WhatsApp account, as that would be completely illegal. But it will be difficult for you to use the messaging app as you normally would.
If you do not agree to the terms, you will not be able to access your conversation list because – presumably – a warning will appear stating that you must agree to the privacy policy if you want to use the app’s email services. The functions of the app will be limited, although this may violate the rules of the App Store.
Of course, you will be able to make calls, video calls and reply to messages via notifications from your mobile phone.
What do you think of the changes to WhatsApp’s privacy policy? Will you continue to use the app?
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