WhatsApp to move ahead with privacy update despite backlash • Hacker News Board

Re: WhatsApp to move ahead with privacy update despite backlash

#31

Post by leephillips » Fri, Feb 19, 2021, 2:19 PM UTC

egwor wrote: post #14

I'm so disappointed in this. Whatsapp is a functional tool. It was successful since it worked. Facebook has entirely failed to utilise it - to allow external systems to connect in so that businesses can do business on there. The voice calls are also a disaster. They've now come along to start messing with the privacy to start selling ads. It is insane that they're able to make such a mess of this. Is there a word for…

I agree with you completely, but “Most of us paid some money for the app”: I didn’t know it was possible to pay for WhatsApp. On what platforms does it cost money?

Re: WhatsApp to move ahead with privacy update despite backlash

#32

Post by yalogin » Fri, Feb 19, 2021, 2:20 PM UTC

Reality is no one cares about privacy, there isn’t a dollar amount attached to it like with security. So yes people will be outraged when they are told data is collected about them but then they will see the service offered and accept the collection. The only thing this achieved is made a lot of people realize and vocalize to themselves that they don’t care about privacy. I could t even convince my own family to ditch WhatsApp.

We are in the very early phase of the fight for privacy like we were in the ssl 1.0 days with security. It will happen but there is a lot of struggle left

Re: WhatsApp to move ahead with privacy update despite backlash

#33

Post by PetitPrince » Fri, Feb 19, 2021, 2:21 PM UTC

leephillips wrote: post #31

egwor wrote: post #14

I'm so disappointed in this. Whatsapp is a functional tool. It was successful since it worked. Facebook has entirely failed to utilise it - to allow external systems to connect in so that businesses can do business on there. The voice calls are also a disaster. They've now come along to start messing with the privacy to start selling ads. It is insane that they're able to make such a mess of this. Is there a word for…

I agree with you completely, but “Most of us paid some money for the app”: I didn’t know it was possible to pay for WhatsApp. On what platforms does it cost money?

Initially WhatsApp (before Facebook acquisition) had a (cheap!) one time fee.

Re: WhatsApp to move ahead with privacy update despite backlash

#34

Post by musha68k » Fri, Feb 19, 2021, 2:21 PM UTC

egwor wrote: post #14

I'm so disappointed in this. Whatsapp is a functional tool. It was successful since it worked. Facebook has entirely failed to utilise it - to allow external systems to connect in so that businesses can do business on there. The voice calls are also a disaster. They've now come along to start messing with the privacy to start selling ads. It is insane that they're able to make such a mess of this. Is there a word for…

This interview with Jason Calacanis puts Facebook’s acquisition of Whatsapp into better perspective:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2bYwYxqJCM&t=2698s

Re: WhatsApp to move ahead with privacy update despite backlash

#35

Post by JohnJamesRambo » Fri, Feb 19, 2021, 2:21 PM UTC

Of course they are. Facebook doesn’t care and if you still use them or their products you are endorsing their behavior.

https://signal.org/

Re: WhatsApp to move ahead with privacy update despite backlash

#36

Post by minikites » Fri, Feb 19, 2021, 2:21 PM UTC

The free market continues to reward Facebook, so this move must be good. I can't wait to see what the free market has in store next!

Re: WhatsApp to move ahead with privacy update despite backlash

#37

Post by nabla9 » Fri, Feb 19, 2021, 2:21 PM UTC

egwor wrote: post #14

I'm so disappointed in this. Whatsapp is a functional tool. It was successful since it worked. Facebook has entirely failed to utilise it - to allow external systems to connect in so that businesses can do business on there. The voice calls are also a disaster. They've now come along to start messing with the privacy to start selling ads. It is insane that they're able to make such a mess of this. Is there a word for…

FTC sued Facebook for illegal monopolization over this. For some reason, Zuckerberg does not care. https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2020/12/ftc-s...

>Facebook has engaged in a systematic strategy—including its 2012 acquisition of up-and-coming rival Instagram, its 2014 acquisition of the mobile messaging app WhatsApp, and the imposition of anticompetitive conditions on software developers—to eliminate threats to its monopoly. This course of conduct harms competition, leaves consumers with few choices for personal social networking, and deprives advertisers of the benefits of competition.

>The FTC is seeking a permanent injunction in federal court that could, among other things: require divestitures of assets, including Instagram and WhatsApp; prohibit Facebook from imposing anticompetitive conditions on software developers; and require Facebook to seek prior notice and approval for future mergers and acquisitions.

When FB bought WhatsApp and Instagram they made explicit promises to regulators not to do this in order to get permission.

To make things even worse. Zuck wrote in email “It is better to buy than compete,” after buying Instagram.

Re: WhatsApp to move ahead with privacy update despite backlash

#38

Post by PragmaticPulp » Fri, Feb 19, 2021, 2:22 PM UTC

throwaway556179 wrote: post #16

Sometimes, I wish someone would hack into the FB C-Levels homes and live-stream their lives to the world - like everything they say and do, just to make the world a bit more open, connected and transparent.

How is that in any way similar to the proposed WhatsApp changes?

Re: WhatsApp to move ahead with privacy update despite backlash

#39

Post by leephillips » Fri, Feb 19, 2021, 2:23 PM UTC

PetitPrince wrote: post #33

leephillips wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I agree with you completely, but “Most of us paid some money for the app”: I didn’t know it was possible to pay for WhatsApp. On what platforms does it cost money?

Initially WhatsApp (before Facebook acquisition) had a (cheap!) one time fee.

Oh, I guess I was late to the party.

Re: WhatsApp to move ahead with privacy update despite backlash

#40

Post by ameesdotme » Fri, Feb 19, 2021, 2:24 PM UTC

decrypt wrote: post #12

popol12 wrote: post #4

Meanwhile I've switched my family and friend to Signal with great success.

Are they actively using Signal though? I am struggling with mine, where conversations still happen on WhatsApp.

I found the most easy way to motivate people to switch, is to just remove your WhatsApp profile-picture and set your status to something like "Find me on Signal".

The amount of people reaching out via WhatsApp lowered drastically, all (but one) of my main contacts are now also on Signal.