In a recent online exchange, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk targeted Meta-owned WhatsApp, alleging that the messaging app misuses user data by exporting it every night. Musk’s comments came in response to a post by an X (formerly Twitter) user who claimed that WhatsApp analyzes and uses this data for targeted advertising, effectively turning users into products rather than customers.
“WhatsApp exports your user data every night,” Musk stated, adding, “Some people still think it is secure.” His remarks have ignited a fresh wave of scrutiny and debate over the privacy practices of the popular messaging service.
As of now, Meta or WhatsApp have not responded to Musk’s allegations. However, John Carmack, a renowned computer programmer and video game developer, weighed in on the discussion. Carmack questioned the veracity of Musk’s claims, asking whether there is any evidence that the content of messages is scanned or transmitted. “I assume usage patterns and routing metadata are collected, and if you invoke a bot in a conversation, you are obviously opening it up, but I am still under the impression that the message contents are secure by default,” Carmack posted on X.
Musk’s criticisms of WhatsApp are part of a broader rivalry between him and Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The tension between the two tech moguls is well-documented, with Musk frequently taking jabs at Zuckerberg and his company’s business practices. Earlier this month, Musk accused Meta of being “super greedy” by taking undue credit for advertisers’ campaigns on its platform.
The ongoing feud between Musk and Zuckerberg has even led to talks of a physical showdown. The proposed “cage fight” between the two billionaires, dubbed the fight of the century, captured the public’s imagination but ultimately never materialized.
Musk’s latest salvo against WhatsApp highlights the persistent concerns about data privacy and security in the digital age. While WhatsApp has long touted its end-to-end encryption as a key feature ensuring message privacy, Musk’s comments suggest that users should be wary of how their data is handled behind the scenes. This incident underscores the need for greater transparency and accountability from tech giants regarding their data practices.
As users continue to grapple with the implications of their online privacy, the debate sparked by Musk’s allegations serves as a reminder of the complex and often opaque nature of data management by major tech companies. Whether Meta will address these claims remains to be seen, but the conversation around data security and user privacy is unlikely to dissipate anytime soon.