This is an urgent message that you need to read and share with your audience. WhatsApp, the popular messaging app owned by Meta, has recently launched a new feature called Channels that could pose serious risks to your privacy and security. Here’s what you need to know about this feature and why you should demand WhatsApp to give you an option to opt out or create a separate app for it.
What is WhatsApp Channels?
WhatsApp Channels is a new feature that allows accounts to send one-way broadcasts to followers. Users can follow channels of their interest, such as hobbies, sports teams, or local officials, and receive updates in the form of text, photos, videos, stickers, and polls. The feature is currently available in Singapore and Colombia, and is similar to the Channels feature of Telegram.
What are the dangers of WhatsApp Channels?
While WhatsApp Channels may seem like a convenient way to receive important updates from people and organizations, it also comes with several drawbacks and risks that you should be aware of.
First of all, WhatsApp Channels are not end-to-end encrypted by default. This means that Meta can access and store your channel messages on its servers for up to 30 days. Meta can also share your channel data with third parties, such as advertisers, law enforcement agencies, or hackers. This could compromise your personal information, such as your location, interests, preferences, and opinions.
Secondly, WhatsApp Channels can expose you to unwanted or harmful content that you cannot control or report. Since channels are one-way broadcasts, you cannot reply to or block messages that you receive. You also cannot report channels that violate WhatsApp’s terms of service or community standards. This could expose you to spam, scams, fake news, propaganda, hate speech, violence, or pornography.
Thirdly, WhatsApp Channels can interfere with your private conversations and relationships. Since channels are located in the same tab as your status updates, they can clutter your screen and distract you from your personal chats. They can also influence your mood and opinions by showing you biased or misleading information. Moreover, they can affect your social network by revealing who you follow or what you like to others.
And most importantly, WhatsApp Channels put our children at risk from predators as many minors use WhatsApp as their messaging app.
How can you protect yourself from WhatsApp Channels?
The best way to protect yourself from WhatsApp Channels is to demand WhatsApp to give you an option to opt out of this feature or create a separate app for it. You should not be forced to use a feature that you do not want or need. You should have the right to choose what kind of messages you receive and who you communicate with on WhatsApp.
If you agree with this message, please contact WhatsApp and voice your concerns. You can reach them through their website, email ([email protected]), phone (+1 650 543 4800), or social media (@WhatsApp).
You can also sign this petition https://chng.it/VqMkWQCmQG to show your support for this cause.
Thank you for reading this message and spreading the word. Together, we can make WhatsApp a safer and more private place for everyone….
I couldn’t agree more, thank you whoever wrote this
It’s the same as social media and poses a threat to all Jewish boys and girls
That’s another reason not ro have a smartphone
Firstly you can get whatsapp on flip phones. You can also add an sd card to a fliphone and watch what you want
But whatsapp is accepted as totally kosher in the Lubavitch (frum?) world. That’s why this is so important.
(I am not talking about what we tell our bochurim to do – I am talking about what we actually do and the example we set for them to follow).
Me personally I don’t like the WhatsApp channels
But funny thing about this article is that they are talking about how on channels they can spread misinformation when that’s exactly what the article is doing
“WhatsApp Channels can expose you to unwanted or harmful content that you cannot control or report”
1)You can a 100% report a Chanel
2) WhatsApp doesn’t allow harmful comments on their channels so if anything it’s better then a regular group chat which WhatsApp doesn’t filter
is different depending on standard. a chassidish person who tries to not be exposed to pop culture will definitely see it there. and young teenagers may also come across things harmful for frum people, even if its ‘normal’ for society.
If we get a few Rosh Yeshivos, and rabbonim to sign it, WhatsApp will definitely act quickly and change their plans. Thanks for doing this.
Good idea
I think this is just a slight overreaction. It’s really just a revamped version of Whatsapp statuses. Also, my children have filters on their phones which block certain features within whatsapp. I’m sure those same filters can block out channels. It’s really not a big deal.
Which filter do you use?
Right. Until now your kids only had statuses of their friends and family.
Now they automatically have the statuses of every goyishe influencer.
BIG difference.
It’s a little annoying, but you don’t have to follow any of the channels. I personally don’t have a problem with it.
True, but unfortunately there might be people who have poor self control, and maybe don’t want to place themselves in a situation where it is tempting but still want to use regular Whatsapp messaging
You don’t have to follow anything.
The channels pop up right under your statuses ready for you to open them.
If someone actually cared abt channels, they wld have insta. So it wouldn’t make a difference either way.
what if they had WhatsApp because it was kosher and insta is blocked
While I’m fully against channels as well, the arguments brought up are all easily refutable and borderline nonsense.
These channels are no different than whatever you get on telegram, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube or facebook. theres no “security threat” from a channel or “privacy concerns”.
If you’re going to fight something, do it properly, or no one will take you seriously
I actually had AI generate this article and I posted it on quora under the title Jewish AI. That is why not everything is one hundred percent factual. But the main point is understood and that is that we are telling WhatApp to stop their channel features . If you want to suggest any edits to the petition then contact the person who posted it
Right, but in the frum community whatsapp is considered more “acceptable ” than instagram, so it’s being used more and now that can be a problem
and try reading the privacy policy and terms of service of facebook and instagram too…
We can’t ignore all the AI and chatbots that they announced yesterday
People are failing to understand who they are trying to convice, META is a multi billion corporation, and the reason why they are doing it is to generate profit. When you don’t pay for a service you are the product.
Do you really think Mark Z is gonna read this and say “Oh, they are right. Let me go back and remove this”
If you are really concerned about content then dont use whatsapp.
According to someone who works there, they are putting a Block option for Channels
This is clearly AI written. Though i do agree with most of it…
You don’t have to follow the channels you can ignore them like I do
“On man’s trash is another man’s come-up.” The feature has been the best WhatsApp improvement for some. You don’t like WhatsApp channels, stay away from ’em. Pretty simple.
Crazy thing is u guys are concerned about the channel having bad stuff on it u can have chats too with bad things on it
I believe it comes down to self control just like with the things you see on the street u don’t have control over it but u have control over yourself and your eyes hopefully
Shoving new bad features down everyone’s throat every day