UNITED STATES: WhatsApp, one of the world’s most popular instant messaging apps, faces trust issues after allegations emerged that it was using the microphone in the background without user knowledge or consent.
The allegations came to light after a tweet by a Twitter engineer, Foad Dabiri, who noted that WhatsApp had been using the microphone in the background while he was asleep.
Dabiri shared a screenshot of the Android Dashboard, which showed that microphone access was on for WhatsApp. This prompted a response from Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who tweeted that “WhatsApp cannot be trusted.”
WhatsApp has denied any wrongdoing and suggested that the issue was with Android and not its own app. In a statement, the instant messaging app said that it had been in touch with Dabiri and had asked Google to investigate and remediate the issue. Google, for its part, has confirmed that it is looking into the matter.
“We believe this is a bug on Android that misattributes information in their privacy dashboard and have asked Google to investigate and remediate,” WhatsApp said in a tweet.
The app also reiterated that it gives users complete control over their microphone settings and only accesses the mic when a user is making a call or recording a voice note or video.
“Even then, these communications are protected by end-to-end encryption, so WhatsApp cannot hear them,” the app said in another tweet.
Despite WhatsApp’s reassurances, the allegations have raised concerns about the app’s privacy and security practises.
The app has come under scrutiny in the past for handling user data, with critics arguing that it collects too much information and shares it with Facebook, its parent company.
The latest allegations are likely to fuel concerns about WhatsApp’s trustworthiness and could lead to users seeking alternative messaging apps.
Elon Musk has already endorsed Signal, a rival messaging app; in the past, he has urged users to delete their Facebook accounts.
The incident is also a reminder of the importance of user privacy and the need for companies to be transparent about their data practices.
With data breaches and privacy violations becoming more common, users increasingly demand greater control over their personal information and more accountability from the companies that collect and use it.
Also Read: WhatsApp to Release ‘Admin Review’ Feature for Android Users
