The social messaging app, Whatsapp on Wednesday pulled a surprise on its users all over the world as it uploaded statuses on the phone of users.
The instant messaging app, which is also owned by Facebook owner, Mark Zuckerberg explained that it would use the status to educate users on the latest updates and features about the app.
“Whatsapp is now on Status! We’ll let you know about new features and updates here,” the company noted in one of the statuses.
It also explained that user privacy is still intact as the company can’t listen to the conversation of users or read their chats.
“One thing that isn’t new is our commitment to privacy.” another of the status read and then the next slide added: “Whatsapp can’t read or listen to your personal conversations as they are end-to-end encrypted.”
However, many users have taken to the micro-blogging site, Twitter to express their views about the new development with many expressing feelings of having their privacy intruded by the move and others left confused by the action.
There are possibilities that this may push many users to switch to other alternatives such as Telegram and Signal.
See some reactions from Nigerians:
For me to be able to view someone’s Status on WhatsApp, it means I need to have added their number to my phonebook. In this case, I didn’t save any “WhatsApp” contact on my phone. It means Mark Zuckerberg smuggled himself into my phonebook. That’s Privacy Invasion if you ask me.
— Wale Adetona (@iSlimfit) January 27, 2021
Meanwhile, Naija News previously reported that a new WhatsApp update will prevent older Android and iPhone devices from having access to the app starting from January 1, 2021.
The development would force owners to either update their mobile operating system or buy a new smartphone.
Any iPhone not running iOS 9 or newer, or any phone not running at least Android 4.0.3 also known as Ice Cream Sandwich will no longer be able to access the app.
This means all iPhone models up to the iPhone 4 will be unable to support WhatsApp, as these phones are not capable of updating to iOS 9
