WhatsApp said on Thursday it intends to move forward with its controversial privacy policy update , but will allow users to read it at their own pace, while also displaying an update that provides additional information .
In January, the messaging platform owned by Facebook informed its users that it was preparing a new privacy policy, according to which it would be able to share limited user data with Facebook and other companies in the group.
This announcement naturally caused a global outcry with thousands of users abandoning the platform and choosing competing applications such as Telegram and Signal , among others, asking WhatsApp to delay the launch of the new policy until May and to clarify that the update focuses on allowing users to send messages to businesses and that their personal conversations are not affected.
In India, home to the messaging app's largest user base, Facebook executives were questioned by a parliamentary committee about the need for the changes, days after the country's technology ministry asked the messaging platform to withdraw them.
In its latest blog post, WhatsApp said it will start reminding users to check and accept updates to continue using the messaging platform.
"We have also included more information to verify and address the concerns we are hearing," he added.
WhatsApp's announcement comes after parent company Facebook made moves to block all news content in Australia on Thursday, facing backlash from publishers and politicians, prompting a senior British lawmaker to call the company's move an attempt to intimidate democracy.
