Controversial tech billionaire Elon Musk has once again stirred up the tech and crypto communities with a critical warning about the security of popular messaging apps. In a recent tweet, Musk expressed his distrust toward WhatsApp, sparking a heated debate among his followers and the broader crypto community.

Musk's tweet alleged that WhatsApp regularly transfers private user data "every night." He suggested that despite the app's widespread use and claims of security, it cannot be trusted. This statement has divided opinions within the crypto community, with some users echoing Musk's concerns while others, including notable influencers, are skeptical of his claims.

Tether and VanEck’s strategic advisor, Gabor Gurbacs, voiced his doubts about Musk's warning, pointing out that WhatsApp messages are supposed to be protected by end-to-end encryption. This encryption, in theory, should prevent anyone, including WhatsApp itself, from accessing the contents of users' messages. However, Musk's tweet included a video suggesting that WhatsApp activates users' phone microphones even at night, potentially transmitting this "encrypted" data to the company's servers. Given WhatsApp's ownership by Meta, a company led by Mark Zuckerberg with a controversial history regarding user data privacy, Musk's claims have resonated with many concerned users.

Several prominent figures on X (formerly Twitter) also questioned Musk's assertions. Entrepreneur John Carmack, who boasts a million followers, asked for definitive evidence of WhatsApp leaking users' personal data, such as photos, calls, text messages, and audio messages. Despite these requests for proof, many users sided with Musk, sharing similar concerns about the potential misuse of their private information.

"Black Mirror" Warning from Elon Musk

Earlier this week, Musk made headlines again by criticizing a new AI feature introduced by Microsoft. The feature, known as Recall, is integrated into Microsoft's AI assistant, Co-Pilot. Recall is designed to take regular screenshots of all user activity on PCs and laptops, ostensibly to help users search through their activity history at a later time. Microsoft’s CEO assured users that this data would remain on their devices and not be transferred to Microsoft’s servers.

Musk was highly critical of this innovation, likening it to an episode from the dystopian series "Black Mirror," which often explores the dark side of advanced technologies. His comparison highlights the potential privacy concerns associated with such features, even when they are marketed with user convenience in mind. Musk's criticism was echoed by notable figures in the crypto and tech communities, including Ripple CTO David Schwartz and Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin, both of whom questioned the true intentions behind Microsoft's new feature.

The Broader Implications

Musk's warnings come at a time when digital privacy and security are increasingly under scrutiny. With growing concerns over data breaches, surveillance, and the misuse of personal information, his statements have struck a chord with many who are wary of how their data is handled by large tech companies.

For the crypto community, which values decentralization and privacy, these warnings are particularly pertinent. The debate over WhatsApp’s security underscores a broader distrust of centralized platforms and a push towards more secure, decentralized alternatives.

As these discussions continue, it remains to be seen how companies like Meta and Microsoft will address these concerns and what measures they will implement to ensure user privacy. Meanwhile, Musk's vocal stance on these issues continues to influence the public discourse on digital security and the ethical implications of emerging technologies.