The Korean-based messaging app wants to reduce the duration in which messages are stored and to implement end-to-end encryption in order to reassure its users after a recent intrusion of privacy in the form of leaked messages. Two weeks ago, KakaoTalk had reportedly given access to thousands of private messages to the South Korean government in an effort to filter out malicious rumours regarding South Korean President Geun Hye Park.
KakaoTalk promises to improve its privacy and encryption policies after allowing access to thousands of private messages to the South Korean government. The instant messaging service currently has a userbase of over 100 million on multiple platforms such as iOS, Android, Windows Phone and BlackBerry.
In the aftermath, Daum Kakao – a merger between Korean internet web portal and KakaoTalk – have released a public statement saying that they would reduce the length of time the messages are stored on the servers. To further strengthen their claim, Daum Kakao Co-CEO Sirgo Lee says that the privacy of its users are their first priority. Lee had also promised to stop honouring warrants from government to access the private data of the users.
Some KakaoTalk users have expressed the feeling that KakaoTalk took too long of a time to apologise and feel that they can no longer trust the messaging app. Which makes this damage control exercise an uphill battle for the Korean company.
[Source:CNET]
