Explainer | Amid worldwide concerns over WhatsApp’s new privacy terms, there’s one question facing users: to switch, or not to switch?

The Post walks you through the exodus of users fleeing the Facebook-owned platform – and whether you should consider making the switch yourself

Experts say that while worries over the new data-sharing arrangement may be overblown, there are legitimate privacy concerns surrounding WhatsApp

Reading Time:5 minutes

Newspapers with front page advertisements reassuring users of WhatsApp’s privacy protections are displayed in India on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

Published: 9:00am, 14 Jan 2021Updated: 9:32am, 14 Jan 2021

Millions of people around the world, many Hongkongers among them, are considering dropping the encrypted messaging platform WhatsApp and switching instead to alternatives they believe offer better data and privacy protection following the announcement of changes to the way the app shares information with its parent company, Facebook.

WhatsApp last week asked its more than 2 billion global users to agree to new terms regarding the way it shares their personal information with Facebook by February 8, or they will no longer be able to use its services.

The move triggered an outcry from everyday WhatsApp users and Hong Kong’s privacy watchdog alike, with many jumping ship to rivals such as Signal and Telegram.

Below, the Post walks you through why this exodus is happening now, and whether you should consider making the switch yourself.

Millions of people are considering switching to alternatives to WhatsApp, but are their concerns justified? Photo: AFP

Why are people looking beyond WhatsApp?

The backlash against WhatsApp started building weeks ago, after Apple in mid-December announced updates to its own privacy rules, including for its messaging platform iMessage.

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