(Reuters) – Facebook Inc.’s WhatsApp said on Thursday that it will proceed with its controversial privacy policy update, but will allow users to read at “their own pace” and will also display a banner with additional information.
In January, the messaging platform informed users that it was preparing a new privacy policy, according to which it could share limited user data with Facebook and its group companies.
This generated a global outcry and sent users to rival apps Telegram and Signal, among others, leading WhatsApp to delay the launch of the new policy for May and to clarify that the update was focused on allowing users to send messages to companies and would not affect personal conversations.
In India, the largest user base for the messaging app, Facebook executives responded to questions from a parliamentary panel about the need for the changes, days after the country’s technology ministry asked the messaging platform to withdraw them.
In its latest blog bit.ly/3ufc9Eq, WhatsApp said it will start reminding users to review and accept updates to continue using the messaging platform.
“We have also included more information to try to address the concerns we are hearing,” he added.
The WhatsApp announcement comes at a time when Facebook, the parent, decided to block all news content in Australia on Thursday, facing reaction from editors and politicians, prompting a senior British lawmaker to label the action as a attempt to intimidate democracy.
Reporting by Shubham Kalia and Anuron Kumar Mitra in Bengaluru; Krishna Chandra Eluri edition