WhatsApp 2021 privacy policy: No, they don’t own your photos, files etc; ignore fake viral message

A new fake message is being shared on WhatsApp, which makes false claims about the app’s new privacy policy. The message says there is a new rule which allows WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram to use your images, messages, files, and other information for their personal gain. The message even requests you to forward it in 10 groups, after which if you receive a green tick, it means that “your phone is protected against the new rule.”

This is a fake message and WhatsApp users are advised to not forward it to anyone. In a blog post, WhatsApp has reiterated that it does not share any user data with Facebook.