Big Indian market users fret over privacy, WhatsApp all jumbled up
Over 400 million people in India exchange more messages on WhatsApp than anywhere in the world and their reaction has compelled the app to release an advertising blitz.
WhatsApp is struggling with the mistrust of its users globally since it updated its privacy policy. The policy lets WhatsApp share some of the users’ data with Facebook. This is baffling its ambitions in India, its biggest market.
Though there aren’t many uninstalls of WhatsApp happening in India but its users are downloading its rival apps such as Telegram and Signal, given their increasing worries about privacy. This is the first time that the other apps are higher on the download chart, say research firms.
The reaction of WhatsApp users in India compelled WhatsApp to release an ad blitz worth 10 million rupees.
"Respect for your privacy is coded into our DNA," WhatsApp said. It also said that privacy policy update does not affect the privacy of your messages with your friends and family in any way; instead, the changes are only for the business users.
Despite WhatsApp’s payment service not falling the updated privacy policy, a good amount of shift to other messengers would mean lagging behind the ingrained rivals.
Proliferating concerns:
WhatsApp users all across the globe are daunted since 4th Jan when WhatsApp updated its privacy policy saying that it reserves the right to share some of the users’ information with Facebook, also its units, Instagram and Messenger.
However, according to WhatsApp, neither it nor Facebook would have access to sensitive and private information, the users still seem unconvinced and are turning to other alternatives of it.
Outpacing WhatsApp, Signal became the most downloaded free app in India, both on IOS and Android, according to internet research firm Top10VPN. Its downloads have jumped to almost 7 crores in the past few days. Telegram downloads exceeded by 40% while those of WhatsApp receded by 30%.
