Pascal Oparada
WhatsApp users are growing increasingly agitated with the messaging platform. The latest is the Status update released by WhatsApp itself on which appeared to users on Wednesday.
Users of the platform say they feel violated by the company for what they termed the invasion of their privacy.
To have another user’s Status update appear on yours, you must have the person’s phone number. This where users are aggrieved with WhatsApp updating its status without users having the contact details of the company.
In the new update, WhatsApp said it has chosen the method to communicate with its users and keep them updated about its services.
“WhatsApp is now on Status! We’ll let you know about new features and updates here,” the company said.
The last time this happened was four years ago when it introduced the feature.
It went on to assure users of their privacy, which many have said is a ruse considering the latest outrage over its new privacy which has now been delayed till May 15 this year.
WhatsApp provoked many of its users early this month when it released new privacy asking users to agree to have their data, including their phone numbers, shared with its parent company, Facebook and other apps owned by the company.
The move saw WhatsApp lose thousands of users to rivals like Signal and Telegram.
Many users see the latest development as preparation by WhatsApp to start advertising to them through the Status update.
For more than two years, it has been rumoured that WhatsApp intends to allow users to advertise through the Status feature.
WhatsApp Business has been used by millions to transact business with users in many markets but the latest addition to the messaging platform is seen as an affront by many.
