Pakistan hopes to launch its own online communication application to replace WhatsApp in 2021 this year.
As per details, Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Technology has announced its plans to launch a communications application in 2021 which will act as an alternate to the popular messaging app WhatsApp.
The local messaging application titled ‘Smart Office app’ will initially be launched in major cities and will then be expanded to various areas across the country.
We are well aware of public’s concerns regarding new privacy policy update introduced by WhatsApp, and will formulate our policies, regulations accordingly – read the statement issued by Ministry of Information and Technology.
The statement, quoting Federal Minister Aminul Haque said that the formulation of ‘personal protection bill’ and the work on a messaging app for government employees has been expedited.
The federal minister highlighted the fact that back when WhatsApp was fought by tech giant Facebook in 2014, the company had then reassured that no changes will be made in its privacy, data sharing policies.
In 2016, the company had given its customers the authority to decide in favor or against the sharing of their information with other companies.
Recent changes in WhatsApp’s privacy and data sharing policy is a violation of its ‘global commitment’ to its customers, said Aminul Haque.
