WhatsApp Privacy Update: Unpacking the Core Concerns & Alternatives at Hand

<div>What's up with WhatsApp? WhatsApp’s update to its privacy policy has been causing a great deal of concern, confusion and cacophony among users since its release on 4 January.  <br> <br> </div> <div>The in-app notification alerts users that they have time till 8 February to accept the terms or risk having their accounts rendered inactive. WhatsApp’s coercive ultimatum has only added to user dilemma about staying on in a potentially less secure app but one that has all their friends, family and work contacts.  <br> <br> </div> <div>So, how much of a threat to our privacy is the new update? What kind of data would be shared with Facebook? Does one continue to stay on WhatsApp? Or should one migrate to a different platform? <strong>The Quint</strong> spoke with Anivar Aravind, a senior software engineer and public interest technologist who has been a vocal proponent of open software digital rights. He explains the core issues at hand and what’s exactly at stake. </div>