Privacy is safe, says WhatsApp CEO

San Francisco - The CEO of WhatsApp on Monday dismissed concerns that the acquisition of the popular messaging app by Facebook would result in less privacy for users.

In a posting on the company's blog, Jan Koum, 37, said a major motivation behind his creation of the app was his desire to ensure the privacy that he had never enjoyed while growing up under Soviet rule in his native Ukraine.

"Respect for your privacy is coded into our DNA, and we built WhatsApp around the goal of knowing as little about you as possible," wrote Koum, who noted that the site does not insist on knowing users' names or e-mail addresses, and does not know their home addresses, employers, birthdates or internet search histories.

Koum insisted that the $19bn sale in February of the company to Facebook would not change that, despite Facebook's renowned appetite for as much user data as possible.

Vulnerabilities

"If partnering with Facebook meant that we had to change our values, we wouldn't have done it," Koum wrote.

"Instead, we are forming a partnership that would allow us to continue operating independently and autonomously. Our focus remains on delivering the promise of WhatsApp far and wide, so that people around the world have the freedom to speak their mind without fear."

Those assurances may not convince experts who have contended that the popular messaging platform has serious vulnerabilities.

Paul Jauregui at the security firm Praetorian said that the way the WhatsApp handles SSL encryption is not ideal, leaving the platform open to attacks.

Bass Bosschert, a Dutch security expert warned that because of the way WhatsApp saves its data on an SD card on an Android device, it was possible to hack the data.

He put the blame on Google's Android system though, rather than WhatsApp.

WhatsApp has around 450 million users globally.

- SAPA

Military Foils Attack in Yobe, Kills Eight Insurgents

Military operatives on Monday foiled an attempt by the Boko Haram insurgents to attack Goniri community in Yobe State and eight members of the sect and soldiers died in the encounter. 

A statement from the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) signed by Director of Defence Information (DDI), Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade, said many of the insurgents and soldiers severely injured. 

According to him, several arms were also recovered from cemeteries and farmlands in another military operation. 

Olukolade, who is also the Coordinator of the Joint Information Centre (JIC) on Counter terrorism, said the terrorists planned to unleash mayhem on Goniri community in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State, near Buni Yadi, where many pupils were killed recently by the sect, but were ambushed by troops who were already alerted of the terrorists’ intention. 

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 30-year-old man for allegedly being in possession of explosives. 

The police said the suspect, Aliyu Ibrahim, was arrested in Ndele town in Emohua Local Government Area of the state at about 2:30pm. 

Parading him in Port Harcourt, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Tunde Ogunsakin, said the suspect was a member of a kidnap syndicate based in Ogbogoro town. 

Ogunsakin said the suspect also confessed to be a member of a bank robbery syndicate operating between Port Harcourt and Akwa Ibom State. 

According to him, the suspect bought the explosives in Port Harcourt with the aim of taking them to one Alhaji in Yobe State before he was arrested. 

Ogunsakin said: “The Rivers State Police Command wished to inform the general public that in its bid to rid the state of undesirable elements, has nabbed one Ibrahim Aliyu (male, age 30 years) from Ndo village in Agbada Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. 

“He was arrested in Ndele town in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State on March 17, 2014 at about 2.30pm with a huge quantity of dynamite explosives with their detonator and cordless wire. 

“The suspect confessed to be a member of a kidnap syndicate based in Ogbogoro Town and a member of a bank robbery syndicate that operates between Port Harcourt and Akwa Ibom State. 

However, he warned kidnappers, armed robbers in the state to leave the state or be ready to face the wrath of the law when they are apprehended. “We have continued to warn criminal elements to leave the state. If they refuse to leave the state, we will ensure that they face the wrath of the law when they are caught.”