Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk have criticised Meta-owned WhatsApp, alleging that the messaging app exports users' data every night.
The controversy erupted when a user on X, , posted that WhatsApp exports user data nightly, which is "analysed and used for targeted advertising, making users the product, not the customer." Musk responded to the post, stating, "WhatsApp exports your user data every night" and adding, "Some people still think it is secure."
As of now, Meta or WhatsApp have not commented on Musk’s allegation.
John Carmack, a computer programmer and video game developer, responded to Musk's claim by asking if there was any evidence that the content of messages was ever scanned or transmitted.
Carmack noted, "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."
This incident marks the latest in a series of public criticisms Musk has directed at Mark Zuckerberg-run Meta Platforms. Earlier this month, Musk accused Meta of being overly greedy in taking credit for advertisers running campaigns on its platform.
The rivalry between Musk and Zuckerberg is well documented. The tech leaders were reportedly set for a "cage fight" dubbed the fight of the century, but the showdown never happened.
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