It’s Time to Get Back Control of Your Data
Out of the blue, WhatsApp delivered the shocking news to its users and decided that what it really needs is more private information of its users. WhatsApp users have started receiving a notification asking them to either accept its new Terms of Service and Privacy Policy by February 8 or could face being blocked from using the chat service next month. WhatsApp has now begun notifying users of the change with a message that explains, “by tapping agree, you accept the new terms and privacy policy, which take effect on February 8, 2021. After this date, you will need to accept these updates to continue using WhatsApp. You can also visit the Help Centre if you would prefer to delete your account and would like more information.”
What arguably is the biggest change is how WhatsApp handles data with Facebook. The new Terms of Service and Privacy Policy makes sharing information with Facebook mandatory for WhatsApp users. “As part of the Facebook Companies, WhatsApp receives information from and shares information with, the other Facebook Companies. We may use the information we receive from them, and they may use the information we share with them, to help operate, provide, improve, understand, customize, support, and market our Services and their offerings, including the Facebook Company Products,” states WhatsApp in their Privacy Policy.
WhatsApp’s new terms and its privacy policy will kick into effect on February 8, 2021. Users will need to accept these terms and changes in order to keep using their WhatsApp accounts after the deadline. Those who do not accept the new privacy policy will not be able to use the app anymore.
Are WhatsApp Users Left with No Choice?
If you do not want to allow WhatsApp and Facebook to invade your privacy and threaten your security, your only alternative is to switch to another messaging service such as Pravica.
Pravica is a decentralized platform that has no servers, and no information on users. Neither your email address nor mobile number is needed to use the service. All authentication is done via Blockchain which completely eliminates the possibility for any human or machine access to any kind of data. Pravica users don’t have accounts they have their own decentralized identities, where every single communication activity is encrypted by users’ own keys. Users can send and receive not just messages, but also payments using the CashTag service, which comes with a cryptocurrency wallet, where you can send and receive STX tokens while chatting. Blockchain technology provides the world with a more secure and efficient means of communication. The need for privacy, data security, and easy to implement systems are in scarcity today but have been the focus and priority of billions of users.
This demand for private instant communication fueled the Pravica team to create a comprehensive unified communication platform, that includes an encrypted messaging app that respects users and guarantees military-grade privacy and security. Other services include end-to-end encrypted email, decentralized storage, calendar, voice calling, video conferencing, and voice messages.
Pravica is set to revolutionize the way we communicate by utilizing blockchain technology and using blockstack infrastructure to give users complete data ownership.
