tl;dr: Doubt in WhatsApp’s privacy and security increases with new privacy policy
WhatsApp is one of the more popular encrypted messaging apps in the world. It claims “end to end” (aka “e2e”) message encryption, and supports iOS, Android, Windows, and MacOS X 10.10.x and higher.
WhatsApp users concerned with privacy were alarmed when FaceBook purchased WhatsApp in 2014. WA’s founders left a few years later over disputes about advertising, monetizing, and privacy under Facebook.
On March, 2018, WA cofounder Brian Acton tweeted: “It is time. #deletefacebook”
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsIt is time. #deletefacebook
— Brian Acton (@brianacton) March 20, 2018
This week, WA announced it is changing its privacy policy, forcing users to allow data to be collected and shared including phone numbers, contacts’ phone numbers, locations, etc. If users don’t agree by the February 8, 2021 deadline, they will no longer be able to use WA.
I just got my first WA notification about the updated terms and privacy policy this morning.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk, no friend of Facebook, this morning tweeted: “Use Signal.”
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsUse Signal
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 7, 2021
WhatsApp and Facebook appear to be feeling the heat of the criticism aimed at the policy change. An updated message from Facebook claims it will continue to honor the opt out feature in WA even if you agree to the new policy. But how much can one trust Facebook to honor that commitment?
Galling to those in the U.S., WhatsApp reminds users there will be no change in data-sharing practices in the UK and EU, presumably as laws there are more restrictive about data-sharing than in the U.S.
What To Do?
Active users of Facebook and Facebook Messenger unconcerned about privacy need do nothing. If you use Facebook and FB Messenger and are concerned with privacy and were unaware of the issues, read on.
WhatsApp users, at least in the U.S., are probably a bit more concerned about privacy and advertising. They should should consider changing applications – or at least watch to see if WhatsApp changes its tune in the month leading up the February 8, 2021 deadline.
Even if WA does change its policy, one has to ask oneself how much they trust any product owned by Facebook, a company with countless complaints about privacy violations?
WhatsApp, Signal, or Telegram?
WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram are three of the most popular encrypted messaging apps out there. Here’s an excellent review comparing the relative security of each. It came out in July, 2020, before this latest kerfuffle.
Spoiler: In the above review, Signal comes out clearly on top.
Blatant Calm 
Facecrooks, a site I trust that alerts people to privacy issues and hoaxes re: FB provides a more nuanced summary:
https://facecrooks.com/Internet-Safety-Privacy/new-whatsapp-privacy-policy-will-require-users-to-share-data-with-facebook.html
Nevertheless, I am still weighing whether I want to continue using WA, and whether I will continue using FB (as little as I do anymore) and IG.
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WhatsApp and its parent company, Facebook, are feeling the sting as masses of people are abandoning it and choosing Signal and Telegram. In fact, Signal topped the charts on both the Google Play and Apple App stores in many countries.
Signal crashed last week, presumably due to the massive increase in users:
https://www.thestar.com/business/2021/01/15/encrypted-messaging-app-signal-crashes-after-elon-musk-tweet.html
Meanwhile, Facebook has delayed the deadline to May 15 to accept its new terms:
https://www.androidpolice.com/2021/01/16/whatsapp-extends-deadline-to-accept-new-privacy-policy-after-people-fled-to-other-platforms/
And Facebook has been taking out front-page ads in India (WhatsApp’s largest market in attempts to reassure customers and quiet the concerns:
https://www.androidpolice.com/2021/01/17/whatsapp-is-trying-its-best-to-keep-users-from-switching-to-signal-and-telegram/
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