Elon Musk has sparked controversy by cautioning users about WhatsApp's data privacy practices, alleging that the messaging app exports user data nightly, contradicting its perceived security.

This prompted a vigorous debate within the crypto community, with some supporting Musk's concerns while others, including notable influencers like Gabor Gurbacs, questioned the validity of his assertions, citing WhatsApp's supposed end-to-end encryption.

Musk shared a video suggesting WhatsApp activates user phones' microphones at night, raising concerns amid Meta's history of data privacy criticisms.

Community responses varied, with some demanding evidence from Musk and others echoing his distrust of Meta's data handling. Musk's critique extends to tech giants in general, as seen in his recent remarks on Microsoft's Recall feature, drawing parallels to the dystopian themes of "Black Mirror" and emphasizing the growing need for vigilance over personal data privacy.

Ripple CTO David Schwartz and Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin also weighed in, expressing concerns about tech companies' data practices. Musk's comments have reignited discussions on data privacy, highlighting the increasing demand for transparent and secure data handling practices.