Head of WhatsApp responds to Tesla CEO’s assertions regarding Meta’s instant messaging app security.
- Elon Musk’s Claims: Accusations about WhatsApp exporting user data nightly.
- WhatsApp’s Response: Denial of Musk’s claims, emphasizing end-to-end encryption.
- Expert Insight: Clarification on metadata usage for targeted ads.
Recently, Tesla CEO Elon Musk voiced his concerns over WhatsApp’s data practices on his social media platform, X, formerly known as Twitter. Musk alleged that WhatsApp exports user data every night, challenging the app’s security claims.
Musk shared a post about a 12-hour recap from last Saturday, stating: “WhatsApp exports your user data every night. Some people still think it is secure.”
In response, Will Cathcart, head of WhatsApp’s development and strategy, addressed Musk’s statement: “Many have said this already, but worth repeating: this is not correct. We take security seriously, and that’s why we end-to-end encrypt your messages. They don’t get sent to us every night or exported to us.”
Additional context was provided by security researcher Tommy Mysk, who elaborated on Cathcart’s reply. Mysk noted, “WhatsApp messages are end-to-end encrypted, but user data is not only about messages. That also includes metadata such as user location, which contacts the user is communicating with, the patterns of when the user is online, etc.
“This metadata, according to your privacy policy, is indeed used for targeted ads across Meta services. So @elonmusk is right.”
This marks Musk’s second public critique in recent weeks; earlier, he had accused the messaging application Signal of collaborating with the United States government.
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