Elon Musk, Sridhar Vembu Slam WhatsApp Security Amid Meta Lawsuit
Elon Musk has declared WhatsApp “not secure,” reigniting privacy concerns as Meta faces a major US government lawsuit over children’s data. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO’s criticism was echoed by Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu, who highlighted a “fundamental conflict of interest.”
Key Takeaways
- Elon Musk stated WhatsApp is not secure and that he cannot trust it.
- Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu argues a conflict exists when a data-driven company runs a messaging app.
- The criticism surfaces as the US sues Meta for allegedly violating children’s privacy on Messenger.
- Meta denies the allegations, citing years of work on safety features.
Musk’s Direct Criticism
Responding to a user on X who claimed “WhatsApp exports your user data every night,” Musk simply replied, “It isn’t.” This follows his May statement where he said he doesn’t use WhatsApp and “can’t trust” the app.
“WhatsApp cannot be trusted,” he had said.
Vembu’s Conflict of Interest Warning
Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu joined the conversation, framing the issue as a structural problem for Meta.
“There is a fundamental conflict of interest when a company that makes money from user data also runs a messaging app. The messaging app must be a separate company,” he wrote.
Background: The US Lawsuit Against Meta
The executives’ comments come as the US Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sue Meta. The lawsuit alleges the company violated children’s privacy rights on Messenger and misled parents about safety controls.
FTC’s Samuel Levine stated,
“The company’s negligence has put young users at risk, and it must be held accountable.”
The government seeks new restrictions on Meta’s use of kids’ data and civil penalties.
Meta’s Response
Meta has denied the allegations. A spokesperson expressed disappointment, stating the company has worked for a decade on these issues and built parental controls.
“We are disappointed that instead of working productively with companies across the industry to create clear, age-appropriate standards for the many apps teens use, the FTC has chosen this path.”
