This is a question we all need to ask ourselves when using WhatsApp. As the number one most used social messaging app in the world, it begs for concern about what data the app make use of and what data it deem unimportant. WhatsApp is completely free to use, but have we ever wonder how the company makes their money?
Unlike other platforms, they are not running ads. So how safe and how secure can it be? This is a question that no one can answer, unfortunately. But it is crucially important to know how the firm makes their money. In theory, they are not advertising anything nor are they forcing people to watch ads before the platform can be used.
There must be something important that the company is deriving from you and I to pay their way forward, and that is our data. Data gathering is a big business these days, although only them know what is crucial and what's not. Everything done there (on WhatsApp) is claimed to be private and secure as the firm made use of 2FA and other security measures.
But in reality, does these make the app safe and secure? What are they doing with our data? Can we trust Meta with our data? We must know that Meta is the parent company of Facebook and Instagram. What you can do on your own end to at least protect yourself in the little way you can is to limit WhatsApp permission if you are using Android.
WhatsApp requires the following permission once installed:
1. Camera
2. Contacts
3. Files and media
4. Microphone
5. Phone
6. Call logs
7. Location
8. SMS
You can restrict some of these permissions so that WhatsApp will not be able to access them. For instance, once I install WhatsApp on my phone, I disable SMS, Location, Call logs, and Phone from the app permission. It's safer that way, at least a bit. That's the little I can do at my own end to secure some of my data. The data I feel like not sharing.
WhatsApp said it is safe and secure, but since when can we trust these companies word?
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