WhatsApp recently updated its privacy policy, with users being notified that their data would be shared with Facebook and other companies. While people can opt out for now, this will become a mandatory requirement to accept after February 8. The service received a lot of criticism for the move, especially considering that it stated that no such thing would happen when it was acquired by Facebook back in 2014. Prominent figures including Elon Musk are now urging the public to move to Signal, with the platform seeing a massive spike in new registrations.
Now, Microsoft"s social media team has poked fun at the fiasco as well, and recommended that users migrate to Skype.
In a tweet from the official Skype account, Microsoft has boasted that it keeps the personal data of users private and does not share it with third-parties:
Skype respects your privacy. We are committed to keeping your personal data private and do not sell to 3rd parties: https://t.co/FLGwMmSNHv pic.twitter.com/dupbfejr7m
— Skype (@Skype) January 8, 2021
Additionally, the URL points to Microsoft"s privacy policy statement, which outlines what kind of data the firm collects from users and how it is used. It"s a lengthy page that most people will ignore, but it"s recommended that you go through it if you are indeed considering migrating from WhatsApp due to privacy concerns.
Despite all the backlash, it seems a bit unlikely that WhatsApp will reverse course. The firm probably anticipated this feedback, and is likely banking on the furore to die down within the next few weeks.