Meta Platforms IncsMETA instant messaging app,WhatsApp, faced some backlash afterElon Muskstated that the service cannot be trusted.
What Happened: Foad Dabiri, a Twitter engineer, alleged that WhatsApp was spying on him through his phones microphone. During the weekend, he shared a screenshot and alleged that WhatsApp has been using his phones microphone even when it was not being used.
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However, the matter escalated when Musk tweeted Dabiris post on Tuesday, stating, WhatsApp cannot be trusted.
WhatsApp cannot be trusted https://t.co/3gdNxZOLLy Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 9, 2023
Almost an hour later, WhatsApps official Twitter handle responded to Dabiris original complaint saying that they have been in touch with the complainant and believe this is a bug on Android that misattributes information in their Privacy Dashboard.
The instant messaging platform further stated that it has askedAlphabet Inc.GOOG GOOGL , which develops the Android operating system, to investigate and remediate.
WhatsApp said its users have complete mic controls and the app only accesses it when they make calls, voice notes, or videos, which areprotected by end-to-end encryption.
Users have full control over their mic settings
Once granted permission, WhatsApp only accesses the mic when a user is making a call or recording a voice note or video and even then, these communications are protected by end-to-end encryption so WhatsApp cannot hear them WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) May 9, 2023
Why Its Important:This isnt the first time WhatsApp has been accused of privacy violations.
In October last year,TelegramfounderPavel Durovsaid that he deleted Metas app from his device years ago because ithas been a surveillance tool for 13 years.
WhatsApp founders left Meta/Facebook in disgust, started#deletefacebookcampaign & made major contributions to building Signal. What they learned about Facebook & changes to WhatsApp obviously disturbed them greatly, Musk added in a tweet.
In January 2021,downloads of Signal and Telegram surgedafter WhatsApps new privacy policy triggered fears about sensitive profile information sharing with Facebook.
The co-founder of Signal, Brain Acton, was one of the co-founders of WhatsApp who left the company after it was taken over by Facebook in 2014.
Musk'sadvocacy for Signalalso buoyed downloads, and later he disclosed thathe had donated moneyto the development of the product.
Musk and Meta CEOMark Zuckerberghavealso been at loggerheads. Earlier this year, Musk mocked Zuckerberg forconsidering launching a Twitter rival.
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