WhatsApp On Privacy Policy: Open To Answer Queries From Indian Govt

Will Cathcart, WhatsApp global head, in an interview with news agency PTI, said that the company is committed to the privacy and security of the users across the world and their messages are end-to-end encrypted.

(Representative Image/ Getty)

Delhi: As WhatsApp, is receiving flak over its new privacy policy, the instant messaging application on Thursday said that it is open to answer all the questions from the government on the issue and is aware that the company will have to "compete" for users' trust with rivals such as Signal and Telegram. Will Cathcart, WhatsApp global head, in an interview with news agency PTI, said that the company is committed to the privacy and security of the users across the world and their messages are end-to-end encrypted.  With the new policy update of the Facebook-owned mobile application, rival messaging platforms such as Signal and Telegram saw a huge rise in downloads as its users are shifting from as they fear that their personal data may be compromised. "We know we have to compete for users' trust when it comes to privacy and that's very good for the world. People should have choices in how they communicate and feel confident that no one else can see their chats," Cathcart said. Asked if WhatsApp had seen an exodus of users to rival apps like Signal and Telegram, Cathcart answered in negative. "No. We're grateful that people continue to use and trust WhatsApp to communicate... We think competition on privacy is good because it will help make apps even more private and secure in the future, he added. Cathcart also said that they are ready to answer to the government if any clarification is sought. “We remain available to answer any questions and to explain our continued commitment to the privacy and security of users across India,” he said. Sources also suggest that the authorities are currently examining and evaluating recent updates announced by WhatsApp and discussions are on within the IT Ministry over the implications of the recent move by the messaging platform. It is also worth mentioning, WhatsApp in recent year have drawn flak from the government over misuse of the platform for the spread of misinformation. Following which the company has taken a number of steps to curb the spread of hate messages. The global head of the Facebook-owned said that WhatsApp will continue to explain to people and its partners how the platform protects the privacy and security of people's personal messages and also asserted that neither WhatsApp nor Facebook can read users' messages or hear their calls with others on the messaging platform. After WhatsApp announced that it will be changing its privacy policy from February 8, and users have to agree to their order to continue using the platform, the move has received a lot of backlash from its users and has led them to shift to other platforms. Following which messaging service Telegram has crossed the 500-million subscriber mark globally with the addition of 25 million new users in the last few days. While it did not specify India-specific user numbers, Telegram said 38 per cent of the new users are from Asia. Similarly, Signal had said the Indian market has "completely exceeded all expectations" and that the growth in the past few days has driven the company to add capacity to meet the burgeoning demand.