Facebook mum as WhatsApp founder departs over data concerns
The messaging app’s chief is leaving Facebook, reportedly after clashes over encryption and security. Beyond a Mark Zuckerberg reply in Jan Koum’s feed, Facebook has been silent.
In another blow to Facebook, WhatsApp founder and Facebook board member Jan Koum is leaving.
The apparent reason for the split is a culture clash surrounding encryption, data and privacy stemming from Facebook’s attempts to monetize its acquisition of Koum’s messaging app.
The independence and protection of its users’ data is a core tenet of WhatsApp that Koum and his co-founder, Brian Acton, promised to preserve when they sold their tiny start-up to Facebook. It doubled down on its pledge by adding encryption in 2016. The clash over data took on additional significance in the wake of revelations in March that Facebook had allowed third parties to mishandle its users’ personal information.
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