WhatsApp started as a free encrypted messaging service sometime in the last decade and quickly replaced all forms of instant communication then existing. SMS was replaced; and almost dead. Free SMS packages which lured college and young guys were no longer a draw as people downloaded WhatsApp and started using that app as a secure, fast, and viable means of communication within their network. So who doesn't know about this? People were enamoured by the app - at least the more "aware" people - that it was attractive because the app was secure (encrypted), it was free, it was phone based, it was SIM agnostic, it was fast and secure, and it was ad-free. To top it all we could share our media files, documents, contacts, and make and receive audio and video calls. But most important of all, for a few discerning users at least, the founders had promised that since they were not interested in monetising the app, they would ensure that it would always be free and not bound by the lure of money.
Then Facebook (FB) entered the picture and bought WhatsApp for an insane amount of money with a promise that the founders would continue to lead the further development of the app, and that FB would not interfere in the privacy of WhatsApp. Then in 2017, when it became clear to the founders that FB may not honour its commitment and would like to monetise its investment in the phenomenally growing messaging app, they left. One of them left in 2017 and the other quit in 2018.
We didn't care. We were happy with what we were getting. Slowly I saw WhatsApp for business being launched and I started getting some strange marketing messages. WhatsApp started WhatsApp payments, which I didn't join in since I drew a line in linking a messaging app with payments. (I do not have PayTm, GPay, Amazon Pay, or any other payment application). Even that was OK. No issues. Most of us felt that these are just some add-ons that WhatsApp wants to include to make more money.
Well, what caught the ire of many users was the recent announcement of changes in WhatsApp's privacy policy, that, in effect, mentioned that WhatsApp would be sharing some more private data of users with Facebook. We do not have an opt-out there. If we do not agree to those changes, WhatsApp would not be available for us. This would be with effect from 8th February, 2021. So in about a month's time, we need to be prepared for our private information being shared with FB and that data being made available for advertisers. Hah! This was too much.
There have been a flurry of message exchanges of late, ironically on WhatsApp, denouncing this move and encouraging and motivating our network to make a switch from WhatsApp to other messaging apps like Signal or Telegram. Within a couple of days, our family group made the switch to Telegram and there has been a move to switch to Telegram or Signal in my school and college groups too! We plan to make the switch within a few days. Over time, there are rumblings that we should delete our account in WhatsApp and uninstall the app from our devices. Today's news in India Today suggests that Signal has become the most downloaded app on Play Store. Surely this information is being viewed with some consternation at Facebook and WhatsApp. Will they revoke their policy change now? We need to wait and see.
A major reason for people to be apprehensive is because of the assurance given by Facebook that this policy change will not be implemented in Europe/UK. BBC reported this, so I am sure this news is authentic. Does Facebook consider people in India to be commodities? Many of us felt hurt by this discrimination and were compelled to move to other messaging apps.
