Just a few days ago, the personal data of 533 million Facebook users surfaced online for free access. The leaked data contained the full name, contact numbers, approximate locations, email, and other biographical information. It was found that Facebook CEO and Founder Mark Zuckerberg’s phone number was also leaked in this breach. But now, a security expert has revealed that Mark Zuckerberg uses the Signal app for daily communication. Signal is the prominent rival for Facebook-owned Whatsapp messaging app.
About Signal
Signal is a cross-platform messaging app that mainly emphasizes users’ privacy. The company claims that privacy is not an optional mode in Signal. Every message and every call has end-to-end encryption. In recent days, this app is gaining immense popularity due to its simplicity and focus on privacy. Consequently, it is one of the fastest-growing apps in the world.
On January 7, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk approved of Signal by tweeting two words “Use Signal”. It took only one tweet supporting Signal for setting the Internet and app’s download button on app stores on fire. Since then, Signal has been lurking around in the mainstream tech companies.
What the Fuss is all about
It only took a few moments for researchers and experts to realize that Mark Zuckerberg has a Signal account. Dave Walker, a security expert denounced him saying “Mark Zuckerberg uses Signal for protecting his own privacy”. He further accused Mark of neglecting Facebook users’ private data while worrying about his privacy. Responding to this finding, the official Twitter account of the Signal app also took shots at Zuckerberg on Twitter. Signal wrote: “With the May 15th WhatsApp Terms of Service acceptance deadline fast approaching, Mark leads by example.”
Earlier, WhatsApp informed its users that it is updating the privacy policy. Many WhatsApp users were unhappy about these changes in the privacy policy. After this, many long-term users migrated to other messaging apps like Signal and Telegram. Likewise, critics feared that this act was a major blow on user’s privacy rights. However, Whatsapp is bringing this controversial new term of service into effect from May 2021.
Conclusion
After this development, people cannot refrain from asking whether Mark Zuckerberg really trusts his own messaging apps or not. Likewise, some people are questioning how can he violate other people’s privacy if he himself desires privacy? To conclude, If Facebook and Whatsapp wish to retain their users, it is high time for them to update their privacy policy and prioritize to protect the users’ personal data.
