{"id":6247,"date":"2021-01-15T14:21:10","date_gmt":"2021-01-15T14:21:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.branex.ae\/blog\/?p=6247"},"modified":"2024-05-08T06:51:38","modified_gmt":"2024-05-08T06:51:38","slug":"whatsapps-loss-is-signals-gain-why-a-privacy-policy-change-is-proving-so-expensive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.branex.ae\/blog\/whatsapps-loss-is-signals-gain-why-a-privacy-policy-change-is-proving-so-expensive\/","title":{"rendered":"WhatsApp\u2019s Loss is Signal\u2019s Gain: Why a Privacy Policy Change is Proving so Expensive?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cIn some countries, WhatsApp is like oxygen.\u201d<\/em> &#8211; Jan Koum &#8211; Co-Founder of WhatsApp<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The above quotation is the reason why February 8th is akin to doomsday for millions of people worldwide, a day of reckoning of sorts, as they have to decide by this day. Some of them have decided already and have switched to other messaging apps like Signal and Telegram. WhatsApp\u2019s update of their privacy policy is the big news which everyone is talking about. Even my 6-year-old son is concerned that he won&#8217;t be able to talk to his maternal grandparents if I\u2019ll stop using WhatsApp after this date!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_83 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\"><p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<\/div><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.branex.ae\/blog\/whatsapps-loss-is-signals-gain-why-a-privacy-policy-change-is-proving-so-expensive\/#The_Problem_and_the_Consequences_for_WhatsApp\" >The Problem and the Consequences for WhatsApp<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.branex.ae\/blog\/whatsapps-loss-is-signals-gain-why-a-privacy-policy-change-is-proving-so-expensive\/#Whats_Up_for_WhatsApp\" >What\u2019s Up for WhatsApp?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.branex.ae\/blog\/whatsapps-loss-is-signals-gain-why-a-privacy-policy-change-is-proving-so-expensive\/#Signals_Background_Information\" >Signal\u2019s Background Information&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.branex.ae\/blog\/whatsapps-loss-is-signals-gain-why-a-privacy-policy-change-is-proving-so-expensive\/#Latest_Developments\" >Latest Developments<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.branex.ae\/blog\/whatsapps-loss-is-signals-gain-why-a-privacy-policy-change-is-proving-so-expensive\/#Over_to_you\" >Over to you&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Problem_and_the_Consequences_for_WhatsApp\"><\/span><strong>The Problem and the Consequences for WhatsApp<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">People in different age groups have different concerns, and in the coming weeks, the privacy issue on the Internet will once again be the topic of heated debate. The biggest reason people are switching to another app, like Signal, is privacy, as the forced sharing of their data to <a href=\"https:\/\/dubaimonsters.com\/blog\/strategically-design-facebook-cover-photos\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Facebook<\/a> is a big no for everyone. Up till now, it was a voluntary decision so that it wasn\u2019t a problem, but now things have changed for the worst.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The alternate apps to WhatsApp are already gaining ground, with the Signal leading the pack. Data gathered by app analytics firm Sensor Tower has recorded a 4200% increase on a week on week basis. In just five days after the announcement, Signal was downloaded approximately 7.5 million times. The figure includes Google Play and the App Store.\u00a0Another factor that led to a deluge of people moving to Signal is last Elon Musk\u2019s tweet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Use Signal<\/p>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1347165127036977153?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">January 7, 2021<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The sudden increase in Signal download was even surprising for the company too. And due to unprecedented growth and future challenges, it has ramped up hiring and are interested in finding new talent.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Whats_Up_for_WhatsApp\"><\/span><strong>What\u2019s Up for WhatsApp?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cIf you get a WhatsApp message, you\u2019re probably going to open it. That\u2019s the interesting thing.\u201d<\/em>&nbsp;&#8211; Harper Reed &#8211; American Entrepreneur&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That\u2019s the <a href=\"https:\/\/dubaimonsters.com\/blog\/boost-customer-support-whatsapp-business\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">power of WhatsApp<\/a> as in many countries, it is a household name for some time now, but with just a privacy policy update, the empire has started to shake. The news of its rivals cashing in is alarming for WhatsApp as it is facing such figures across the world, baring the EU as it will not be affected where such data-sharing is illegal under GDPR.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Take a look at the chart below to know the features offered by the three most popular apps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.branex.ae\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/signal-app.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"624\" height=\"366\" src=\"https:\/\/www.branex.ae\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/signal-app.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6248\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.branex.ae\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/signal-app.jpg 624w, https:\/\/www.branex.ae\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/signal-app-300x176.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.branex.ae\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/signal-app-249x146.jpg 249w, https:\/\/www.branex.ae\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/signal-app-50x29.jpg 50w, https:\/\/www.branex.ae\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/signal-app-128x75.jpg 128w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 624px) 100vw, 624px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Interestingly, many people who have started using Signal don\u2019t even know basic information about it or the background. Aspects like who owns the Signal and its performance are considered secondary elements now, with everyone seeming to be ditching WhatsApp as soon as possible. Below is a quick snapshot so that you can know how the Signal was formed.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Signals_Background_Information\"><\/span><strong>Signal\u2019s Background Information&nbsp;<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Signal is a cross-platform encrypted messaging service. It was initially released in 2014 by Open Whisper Systems and is a successor to the RedPhone calling app and TextSecure texting program. Founded by Moxie Marlinspike and Stuart Anderson, the app gained momentum after their Signal Foundation received a 50 million dollars initial funding from Brian Acton. Acton, who is one of the founders of WhatsApp, along with Jon Koum, sold it to Facebook in 2014 for approximately 19.3 billion dollars.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Other characters in the Signal vs. WhatsApp saga like Telegram, Threema, and Wire are also looking to cash-in. Still, Signal remains the biggest beneficiary of this as Telegram is also making giant strides. The Signal review has been tremendous as it also offers end-to-end encryption and other ferrets offered by WhatsApp.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Latest_Developments\"><\/span><strong>Latest Developments<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After severe backlash, WhatsApp was taken aback, and now it is trying its best to turn the tides in its favor. Recently on its FAQ page, the company clarified that it would not give all your data to Facebook. The sharing of the sensitive profile information was never meant to be, and the update has nothing to do with consumer chats and profile data. At least this is what WhatsApp is claiming, and it will only be after some time that we will know if this statement will benefit WhatsApp in the future.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is what WhatsApp claimed on their Twitter account.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.branex.ae\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/signal-app-2.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"624\" height=\"624\" src=\"https:\/\/www.branex.ae\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/signal-app-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6249\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.branex.ae\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/signal-app-2.jpg 624w, https:\/\/www.branex.ae\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/signal-app-2-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.branex.ae\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/signal-app-2-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.branex.ae\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/signal-app-2-146x146.jpg 146w, https:\/\/www.branex.ae\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/signal-app-2-50x50.jpg 50w, https:\/\/www.branex.ae\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/signal-app-2-80x80.jpg 80w, https:\/\/www.branex.ae\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/signal-app-2-75x75.jpg 75w, https:\/\/www.branex.ae\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/signal-app-2-85x85.jpg 85w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 624px) 100vw, 624px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the time being, it looks like WhatsApp played their cards wrong and now waiting for the move from their competitors. Meanwhile, this is the reply from Telegram as they&#8217;re also making a merry at WhatsApp&#8217;s expense.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.branex.ae\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/signal-app-3.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"561\" height=\"364\" src=\"https:\/\/www.branex.ae\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/signal-app-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6250\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.branex.ae\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/signal-app-3.jpg 561w, https:\/\/www.branex.ae\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/signal-app-3-300x195.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.branex.ae\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/signal-app-3-225x146.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.branex.ae\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/signal-app-3-50x32.jpg 50w, https:\/\/www.branex.ae\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/signal-app-3-116x75.jpg 116w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 561px) 100vw, 561px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Over_to_you\"><\/span><strong>Over to you&nbsp;<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Are you thinking about deleting your WhatsApp account before it is too late? Or do you think that everything has been blown out of proportion and WhatsApp is still safe to use related to the privacy settings? Please share your thoughts with other readers of this blog. You can also ask any questions or give your feedback by using the comments section below.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u201cIn some countries, WhatsApp is like oxygen.\u201d &#8211; Jan Koum &#8211; Co-Founder of WhatsApp The above quotation is the reason why February 8th is akin to&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":6251,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[183],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6247","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-social-media"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.branex.ae\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6247","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.branex.ae\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.branex.ae\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.branex.ae\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.branex.ae\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6247"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.branex.ae\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6247\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.branex.ae\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6251"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.branex.ae\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6247"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.branex.ae\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6247"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.branex.ae\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6247"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}