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South Africa

Why you don’t need to join the great WhatsApp migration

No, silly, they can’t see your messages! Expert Emma Sadleir debunks WhatsApp privacy policy myths.
Why you don’t need to join the great WhatsApp migration
Staff Reporter
By Staff Reporter
12 Jan 2021
Facebook
19

Virtual crowds have gathered on Facebook and Facebook Messenger – which collects more data than WhatsApp – to object to WhatsApp collecting the same amount of data.

If they had listened to the experts many could have been spared being swept up in a wild international spike in hysteria and the mass migration from WhatsApp (bought by Facebook a few years ago) to Telegram and Signal. 

One of those experts is Emma Sadleir, founder of the Digital Law Company who specialises in education about that liminal space – online and social media groups.

By 11 January 2021 Sadleir had been so inundated with questions and messages that she wanted to address some of the “unfounded” hysteria in an online tutorial.



And no, your WhatsApp messages are encrypted so no one will be able to access or read them or gaze in amazement at the vanilla cake you just baked. 

What WhatsApp will be able to do is see how frequently you contact someone, and perhaps later suggest them as a friend on Facebook, even though you will probably never meet and be friends in real life.

People who have migrated to Telegram, said Sadlier, had better brace themselves since the platform would soon monetise. And the bad news for the Telegrammers is that it allows larger groups than WhatsApp. 

The only thing Signal collects is your number, so for those wishing to fly below the radar, it’s your corner. DM

Comments (7)

Colin Croudace Jan 14, 2021, 07:04 PM

WhatsApp text and video messages are only encrypted until they are backed up. If you need to fly below the radar, use voice only or don’t allow text and video back up. To stop back up go to WhatsApp, Settings, Chats, Chat Backup (here you can read how it works) Go to Auto Backup and select option Off. If you were not on Off, your text and video messages have been saved and are not encrypted. I believe the authorities can legally access these messages should evidence in connection with criminal activity be required.

Jack Voigt Jan 14, 2021, 03:51 PM

I think the point is missed - "It's the out of control tech giant that need to be dumped, e.g., Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp." We surrendered privacy knowingly and carelessly long ago. Now it is just plan freedom from big tech/media that we need. We need small guys. As so clearly stated recently in the Maverick - "God bless incompetent idiots (the small guys), for they will save the world from better-organised conspiracies that would cause lasting damage." Branko Brkic

aitchie Jan 14, 2021, 09:15 AM

Thanks for that info Terry Reynolds. Can you or someone please answer this question. I've never used any social media, Facebook, Instagram, twitter, etc., only WhatsApp, where access to my location is switched off. Which of the items on your list will WhatsApp be able to collect. Observation: Remember Skype? Who still uses it? WhatsApp pretty well drove the last nail into it's coffin. In a few years time when Telegram and Signal have so many users that they become attractive for someone like Zuckerberg to purchase, will they be able to resist the pressure to sell. Then we'll go through all the same privacy issues again. Seems like this is humankind's lot for the foreseeable future.

Monika Iuel Jan 13, 2021, 10:42 AM

I would love to know why GDPR protects the EU citizens from this, but POPI does not do the same for SA citizens - when by all accounts POPI is a stricter version of GDPR. Or is it just South Africa's poor reputation for pursuing legal breaches?

Andrew Blaine Jan 13, 2021, 07:40 AM

Like most things in life, this is another first step in a long journey to message control? Facebook is an unwanted parasitic entity designed to bend ones mind through unwanted and unappreciated control and direction of advertising.

Paul Heering Jan 12, 2021, 10:01 PM

Telegram have just passed 500m active users now. Still a fraction of WA.

mike muller Jan 12, 2021, 09:04 PM

WhatsApp collected data will be used to add value to what is already harvested from you via Facebook - it's a 1 + 1 = 3 story. So the solution is easy - delete your Facebook account - you really don't need it. That way, WhatsApp has a collection of data whose value has gone down just like its reputation ....

Paul Heering Jan 12, 2021, 09:50 PM

Definitely a consideration. I don't care for the social aspect of FB but some businesses use it. Signal is otherwise preferred alternative to WA if you want to get away from Shark *uckerberg. But the average sheeple will just stay where they are.