WhatsApp founder Jan Koum has spoken out against "careless and inaccurate" reports about possible changes to the messaging app's privacy policies.
In a blog post, Mr Koum sought to reassure users that Facebook's $19bn (£11bn) purchase of the firm would not change core principles.
"Respect for your privacy is coded into our DNA," he wrote.
The post comes in the wake of complaints to US regulators by privacy advocates about Facebook's purchase.
Mr Koum referenced his childhood in Ukraine in the 1980s, and wrote that "the fact that we couldn't speak freely without the fear that our communications would be monitored by KGB is in part why we moved to the United States when I was a teenager".
He said he would not have allowed the firm to be acquired by Facebook if it meant changing core WhatsApp policies like not asking for users' names, email addresses or birthdays. He said he would not allow user data to be used for advertising.
"Speculation to the contrary isn't just baseless and unfounded, it's irresponsible," he added.
"It has the effect of scaring people into thinking we're suddenly collecting all kinds of new data. That's just not true."
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