WhatsApp, owned by Facebook, is one of the world’s most popular messaging and voice-over-IP (VoIP) platforms. It allows users to send text messages, voice messages, photos, videos and documents, as well as make voice and video calls—both one-on-one and in groups.
With end-to-end encryption at its core, WhatsApp ensures that all messages and calls remain private, accessible only to the sender and recipient.
The platform’s versatility has made it a staple for both personal and professional communication. Many businesses rely on WhatsApp to connect with customers and manage internal communications, further cementing its role as a crucial tool in the modern digital landscape.
WhatsApp has long been recognized for its strong emphasis on user privacy and security. Its end-to-end encryption guarantees that even WhatsApp itself cannot access the content of messages, calls, or shared media. This commitment has been a key driver of its widespread adoption.
However, the platform has faced criticism over its privacy policies. In 2021, WhatsApp updated its privacy policy, sparking concerns about data-sharing practices with its parent company, Facebook. While the company reassured users about the safety of their data, the debate left some questioning its long-term commitment to user privacy.
A Twitter user raised concerns about WhatsApp allegedly using the microphone on his Pixel phone while he was asleep. The user posted:
“WhatsApp has been using the microphone in the background, while I was asleep and since I woke up at 6 AM (and that’s just a part of the timeline!). What’s going on?”
This sparked widespread attention, prompting WhatsApp to respond publicly. The platform clarified that it had been in touch with the Twitter engineer who reported the issue. WhatsApp stated:
“We believe this is a bug on Android that mis-attributes information in their Privacy Dashboard and have asked Google to investigate and remediate.”
WhatsApp further reassured users about their microphone settings, explaining:
“Users have full control over their mic settings. Once granted permission, WhatsApp only accesses the mic when a user is making a call or recording a voice note or video—and even then, these communications are protected by end-to-end encryption so WhatsApp cannot hear them.”