Elon Musk, in a series of statements on the X platform, accused WhatsApp of collecting user data daily and using it for targeted advertising. In response, WhatsApp head Will Cathcart refuted these claims, asserting that they are not true.
Elon Musk’s Allegations and Reactions
Elon Musk claimed that WhatsApp exports user data every night, analyzes it, and uses it for targeted advertisements, effectively turning users into products. Musk’s comments sparked widespread reaction on social media and reignited debates about WhatsApp’s security.
WhatsApp’s Emphasis on Security
Will Cathcart, the head of WhatsApp, responded firmly to Elon Musk’s allegations. Cathcart stated, “Many people have said this already, but it bears repeating: this is not true. We take security seriously, which is why we encrypt messages end-to-end. Messages are not sent to or transferred to us every night.” Cathcart emphasized WhatsApp’s commitment to protecting its users’ privacy.
Security Researchers’ Insights and Metadata
Security researcher Tommy Mysk pointed out that although messages are end-to-end encrypted, WhatsApp still shares certain metadata with other Meta companies. According to Mysk, WhatsApp shares user location data, information about who they communicate with, and their online activity patterns for use in other Meta products.
WhatsApp’s Privacy Policy
WhatsApp’s privacy policy explicitly states that some user information is used to show relevant offers and advertisements on Meta products. This revelation raises questions about how WhatsApp handles user data.