It seems like WhatsApp not be as private as we all thought. WhatsApp advertised as a messaging platform with privacy being one of its main pillars.
However, a new detailed report from ProPublica revealed how WhatsApp actually works and their inner workings of the moderation system. In fact, the report reveals information that has so far been kept secret from its users.
To shorten it, WhatsApp, under specific circumstances, can read messages sent between users.
The report claims that WhatsApp currently employs at least 1,000 contractors who use “special Facebook software” to analyze content flagged by the machine learning system or when flagged by other users. The content searched for by “special software” ranges from spam, terrorist activity, child pornography and beyond.
WhatsApp has officially stated repeatedly that only senders and recipients of text messages can see their chats. It was a major talking point for the company when end-to-end encryption was rolled out for the instant messaging app.
However, the fact that WhatsApp have implemented a moderation system that can view messages using “special software” is completely at odds with the marketing and messaging of WhatsApp.
The reasoning of WhatsApp behind the content review system is necessary and undoubtedly understandable. The instant messaging platform told ProPublica that the process allows the company to ban abusive and harmful users.
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