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WhatsApp to move ahead with privacy update despite backlash

reuters.com

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Re: WhatsApp to move ahead with privacy update despite backlash

#41

Post by tambourine_man »

It's really hard for me to understand why and how something fails or succeeds to grab the public's attention.

I've been complaining and refusing to use WhatsApp for years, mostly because it's centralized at the worst possible company. But a boycott of one is not a powerful move and no one cared.

Now, for whatever reason, nothing has effectively changed and millions suddenly care.

I mean, I'm glad they finally do, don't think it will make much of a difference, as network effect is a very strong pull, but I'm flabbergasted nonetheless.

Re: WhatsApp to move ahead with privacy update despite backlash

#42

Post by hliyan »

popol12 wrote: post #4

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

Same here, even less technically inclined ones. Whenever someone messages me on WhatsApp, I usually reply with, "Hey, would you mind if we switch to Signal ? I'm in the process of getting off WhatsApp for obvious reasons". At that point, either they install and continue to conversation in Signal, or they reply back asking "Wha? What's wrong with WhatsApp?" at which point, I explain just how much FB's clients can know about you with the metadata they collect.

Re: WhatsApp to move ahead with privacy update despite backlash

#43

Post by OnlyLys »

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?

I used to pay for a WhatsApp subscription. I remember it being a small amount per year. But they did it away with it after Facebook bought them.

Re: WhatsApp to move ahead with privacy update despite backlash

#44

Post by RobertoG »

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.

I think that was only true for the Apple store, not for Android.

Re: WhatsApp to move ahead with privacy update despite backlash

#45

Post by sefrost »

OnlyLys wrote: post #43
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?

I used to pay for a WhatsApp subscription. I remember it being a small amount per year. But they did it away with it after Facebook bought them.

Did it ever actually charge anyone? I remember agreeing to something like $1 per year but never being charged.

Re: WhatsApp to move ahead with privacy update despite backlash

#46

Post by roland35 »

I deleted my account, although a big part of it was how Whatsapp was able to automatically add lots of my contacts (from my phone number I believe?) to my friends list automatically. I wasn't really excited about myself possibly being on other people's contact list without my knowledge!

Re: WhatsApp to move ahead with privacy update despite backlash

#47

Post by jbverschoor »

OnlyLys wrote: post #43
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?

I used to pay for a WhatsApp subscription. I remember it being a small amount per year. But they did it away with it after Facebook bought them.

It was $1 / year

Re: WhatsApp to move ahead with privacy update despite backlash

#48

Post by polote »

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…

The ARPU that Facebook can make is higher than the average price people are willing to pay to get access to whatsapp. That's all, dont look further

Re: WhatsApp to move ahead with privacy update despite backlash

#49

Post by oaiey »

tambourine_man wrote: post #41

It's really hard for me to understand why and how something fails or succeeds to grab the public's attention. I've been complaining and refusing to use WhatsApp for years, mostly because it's centralized at the worst possible company. But a boycott of one is not a powerful move and no one cared. Now, for whatever reason, nothing has effectively changed and millions suddenly care. I mean, I'm glad they finally do, do…

It is this one single spark. An journalist writing a story. A user complaining to his right buddies. The one executive of a big company making an announcement.

It is a spark. Or a butterfly ;)

Re: WhatsApp to move ahead with privacy update despite backlash

#50

Post by londons_explore »

Icathian wrote: post #24
londons_explore wrote: post #15

I really don't understand facebook's approach to this change... Whatsapp is part of facebook, the most data driven of companies. Surely they wrote 10 variations on the 'please accept the new T&C's' screen, and did A/B testing on each, user studies, etc. And they wouldn't have deployed if there was any risk to their business... Yet it seems the users hate it enough that there is a risk to their business... So what wen…

My assumption is that the cost/benefit math means that this is still worth it for them to do. Put as much lipstick as you can on that pig and go to market with it is not an internally inconsistent or illogical path. Even if it sucks for us as consumers.

But look at the message presented to users [1]. It is almost threatening... The deadline date at the bottom... The scary sounding phrase "partner with Facebook" without even giving an example...

The simple text in bold at the top saying "Facebook never gets the contents of your messages to friends, and it never will" would have gone a long way to making most users happy.

It's almost as if someone deliberately chose the text of this to make users upset...

[1]: https://images.indianexpress.com/2021/01/WhatsApp_NEW_1.jpg

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