Logo of WhatsApp, the popular messaging service bought by Facebook for USD $19 billion, seen on a smartphone Feb. 20, 2014 in New York. Image: AFP/Stan Honda via AFP Relaxnews
SAN FRANCISCO, United States – WhatsApp on Friday postponed a data-sharing change as users concerned about privacy fled the Facebook-owned messaging service and flocked to rivals Telegram and Signal.
The smartphone app, a huge hit across the world, canceled its February 8 deadline for accepting an update to its terms concerning sharing data with Facebook, saying it would use the pause to clear up misinformation around privacy and security.
“We’ve heard from so many people how much confusion there is around our recent update,” WhatsApp said in a blog post.
“This update does not expand our ability to share data with Facebook.”
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It said it would instead “go to people gradually to review the policy at their own pace before new business options are available on May 15.”
The update concerns how merchants using WhatsApp to chat with customers can share data with Facebook, which could use the information for targeted ads, according to the social network.
