WhatsApp has been in the news recently after changes to its privacy policy caused a surge of interest in rival messaging app Signal. Initial reports may have worried a lot of folks, leading to inevitable clarifications and corrections. But what, you may ask, actually happened? Is there a problem? Are you at risk? Or should you keep using your apps as you were previously?

Setting the scene

WhatsApp users found themselves facing down an in-app notification this past week, letting them know of upcoming privacy policy changes. The message read: