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Users Flock To Signal Messaging App After Whatsapp’s Latest Privacy Policy Update

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Users Flock To Signal Messaging App After Whatsapp’s Latest Privacy Policy Update

If you own a smartphone, there is a very high chance that you are a WhatsApp user.  The simple and lightweight online messaging application has embedded itself into our lives and has become indispensable.  Family groups, friend groups, office groups, play groups and many other groups like these see millions of conversations happening on a daily basis.  Millions of people across the world use Whatsapp for multiple purposes.  Beginning from a simple user to user online text messaging app, over the years Whatsapp has grown exponentially by adding a lot of features like payments, location sharing, pictures and video sharing, document sharing, group chats and calls.

Whatsapp users received a message upon opening the app on their phone which conveyed information regarding a privacy policy update.  The notification carried information regarding how Whatsapp processes user data and how Whatsapp partners with Facebook to offer integration across Facebook company products.  Failure to accept the policy meant a user could not use Whatsapp anymore after February 8th, 2021.  This led to a huge outcry on social media about how Whatsapp is abusing user data and user privacy.  Facebook and Whatsapp have always been in the spotlight time and again around discussions regarding user data privacy.  But the latest policy update from Whatsapp looked like the last straw.

Millions across the world were looking for alternate platforms to migrate to from Whatsapp where they felt their data would be protected.  Telegram and another recent app named Signal, suddenly saw an influx of new users following the recent Whatsapp privacy policy update.

Signal in particular saw a huge spurt in registrations following Tesla founder Elon Musk’s tweet which said Signal in response to a user asking Musk what is a good alternative to Whatsapp. 

On January 12th, 2021, nearly 800,000 users installed Signal globally.  Signal could not handle the influx and their SMS verification failed to function properly.  Signal has since then added more servers to cope with the surge in app downloads.  Signal said the only information it collects is the phone number and they do not assign a name to the number.  Whatsapp on the other hand collects a slew of data as shown in the picture below.

Whatsapp released a statement which said it is committed to protecting user data privacy and that their end to end encryption still works.  Their response says “Our privacy policy update does not affect the privacy of your messages with friends or family (sic.)”

ALSO READ: How Does WhatsApp Generate Revenue

Whatsapp data is instead used to improve Facebook user experience.  Facebook is benefiting from Whatsapp by generating a huge wealth of consumer behavior data which inturn is being used to improve the ads on Facebook.   

In this day and age when the internet is making its way to every nook and corner of the world, companies are increasingly developing an internet ecosystem in order to make lives easier.  These ecosystems learn from gathering continuous data.  While it is hard to pinpoint how much data should be collected and kept private and how much could be used to improve quality of lives, the choice ultimately lies with the individual.

Let us know if you are going to continue using Whatsapp or will move to SIgnal in the comments below.

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Quick Commerce Set to Boost HUL’s Revenue

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StartupStories

Unilever’s CEO, Fernando Fernandez, is optimistic about quick commerce’s growth in India, predicting it will significantly boost Hindustan Unilever Ltd’s (HUL) revenue. Currently, quick commerce accounts for about 2% of HUL’s revenue, but Fernandez expects this to rise to 10-15% within the next three to four years.

Why Quick Commerce?

India’s unique demographic, with affluent and economically active households living in close proximity, makes quick commerce a logical and profitable channel. The margin mix in quick commerce is also favorable for improving profitability12.

Market Trends

Quick commerce is rapidly expanding in India, with its contribution to ecommerce sales doubling annually. Major players like Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, and Zepto are driving this growth, driven by consumer preference for convenience over discounts13.

Future Outlook

Fernandez’s strategy aligns with Unilever’s goal to transform its business and meet evolving consumer preferences. Leveraging quick commerce will be key to enhancing HUL’s revenue in India, a crucial market for Unilever

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Social Media Platform X Faces Global Outage

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Social Media Platform X Faces Global Outage

Elon Musk’s social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, experienced a significant global outage on Monday. The disruption began around 3:20 PM IST, with over 19,000 reports of issues globally, according to Downdetector.

Impact by Region

  • United States: Over 21,000 users reported issues, primarily with the app.
  • United Kingdom: More than 10,800 incidents were recorded.
  • India: Nearly 2,300 users faced difficulties, though some reports suggest around 1,000 complaints, mainly with the search bar.

Nature of the Outage

The outage affected both web and mobile app versions, preventing users from accessing timelines or posting content. The cause remains unclear, as X has not issued an official statement.

Resolution

Services resumed after about 30-40 minutes, but concerns about the platform’s reliability have increased due to its recent technical issues

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Acevector Limited Announces New CEOs for Snapdeal and Stellaro Brands

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Acevector

Acevector Limited, the parent company of Snapdeal and Stellaro Brands, has announced significant leadership changes within its organization. Achint Setia has been appointed as the new CEO of Snapdeal, while Himanshu Chakrawarti will transition to the role of CEO of Stellaro Brands.

Himanshu Chakrawarti to Lead Stellaro Brands

Himanshu Chakrawarti has successfully led both Snapdeal and Stellaro Brands for the past three years. In his new role, he will focus exclusively on driving growth at Stellaro Brands, which houses various apparel brands, including Rangita. Chakrawarti brings over 30 years of experience in the retail industry, having held leadership positions at notable companies such as Trent, Arvind, and the Landmark Group. His extensive background in brand building and retail operations will be instrumental in scaling Stellaro’s growth.

Strategic Focus

Chakrawarti’s shift to Stellaro Brands allows him to leverage his experience to enhance the brand’s market presence and operational efficiency. His leadership is expected to drive innovative strategies that align with consumer trends and preferences.

Achint Setia to Head Snapdeal

Achint Setia takes over as CEO of Snapdeal, bringing a wealth of experience in e-commerce, media, telecom, and government services. He has a proven track record in business building, marketing, strategy, and technology. Prior to joining Snapdeal, Setia served as the Chief Revenue and Marketing Officer at Zalora Group in Singapore. He has also held senior leadership roles at Myntra, Viacom18, McKinsey & Co., and Microsoft.

Background and Expertise

Setia holds an MBA in Strategy & Finance from the Indian School of Business and completed the Stanford GSB LEAD program in Corporate Innovation. His diverse experience positions him well to lead Snapdeal through its next phase of growth as it navigates a competitive e-commerce landscape.

Focus on Growth and Innovation

These leadership changes are strategically aimed at driving growth and innovation across both Snapdeal and Stellaro Brands. With experienced leaders at the helm of each business, Acevector Limited is well-positioned for continued success in the dynamic Indian market.

Market Positioning

The transition comes at a critical time for Snapdeal as it seeks to strengthen its market position amid rising competition from other e-commerce platforms. Setia’s expertise in digital ecosystems is expected to enhance Snapdeal’s offerings and customer engagement strategies.

Recent Developments at Acevector Limited

Acevector Limited has been actively involved in restructuring its operations to optimize performance across its portfolio. The company has previously made headlines with initiatives such as:

  • The formalization of a group structure encompassing Snapdeal, Unicommerce, and Stellaro Brands.
  • Strategic investments aimed at enhancing technology capabilities and expanding service offerings.

Conclusion

The appointment of Achint Setia as CEO of Snapdeal and Himanshu Chakrawarti as CEO of Stellaro Brands marks a pivotal moment for Acevector Limited. These strategic leadership changes are designed to leverage their extensive industry experience to foster innovation and drive growth across both brands. As they embark on their new roles, the focus will be on enhancing operational efficiencies and adapting to evolving market demands within India’s competitive e-commerce sector.

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