Elon Musk Calls WhatsApp ‘Spyware’ by Responding to Post of X User, Fuels Controversy Over Safety of Meta Apps
Elon Musk recently attacked Meta's WhatsApp by calling it a 'spyware' which fueled the controversy more about Meta platforms not being safe. The tech billionaire previously accused WhatsApp of exporting users' data every night.
San Francisco, July 8: Elon Musk recently responded to a post on X from a user and in reply, he called WhatsApp a "spyware". X-owner Elon Musk has previously said that Meta and its platforms were not protecting users' privacy of the users and barring them from free speech. A few days back, Elon Musk already criticised WhatsApp that it exported users' data every night.
Now, the tech billionaire accused WhatsApp of being spyware platform, fueling the controversy of Meta apps not being safe on internet. WhatsApp Beta (@WABetaInfo), an unofficial platform known for providing details related to the latest or upcoming features for WhatsApp beta features development and launch, replied to Elon Musk's statement. Elon Musk Denies Rumours of Uber Co-Founder Travis Kalanick Joining Tesla’s Robotaxi Division.
DogeDesigner Post on WhatsApp's End-To-End Encryption
Elon Musk Calling WhatsApp a "Spyware" on X
WABetaInfo’s Official Post on X in Response to Elon Musk’s Comment
It all started when an X user called "DogeDesigner (cb_doge) posted about the Meta's instant messaging platform, saying, "If WhatsApp messages are end-to-end encrypted, why am I seeing ads for a bag out of the blue?" to which Elon Musk replied, "Because it's spyware". Previously, Tesla and SpaceX CEOs said that WhatsApp exported users' data every night and that some people still believed it was a secure platform.
WhatsApp Beta (@WABetaInfo) said that not even WhatsApp could read or listen to messages, calls, audio, video calls, photos, videos, documents, and even location-sharing-related posts. The X user @WABetaInfo posted that users could also encrypt the backup for an additional layer of security and privacy. WhatsApp Beta highlighted that if the Indian government asked WhatsApp to trace the message to its original source, it would cease its operations.
A few months back, WhatsApp-parent Meta threatened to leave India over the new IT rules 2021 and reasons for government asking Meta to track the WhatsApp message to its original sender. The rules reportedly mandated the appointment of key compliance officers and the publication of a monthly compliance report. Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal Says ‘It’s Time for Developers To Exit Google Maps’, Announces 1-Year Free Access to All Developers to Ola Maps on Krutrim AI Platform.
Tejas Karia, who represented WhatsApp, said, "If we are told to break encryption, then WhatsApp goes." WhatsApp reaffirmed that it would be committed to end-to-end encryption of users and protect privacy of users.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 08, 2024 06:41 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).