The WhatsApp messaging app said on Friday that it was still discussing the rollout of an update in Turkey, despite a statement from the Turkish Competition Council that the update would not be released.

WhatsApp updated its terms of service in January, saying it reserves the right of its owner Facebook Inc (FB.O) and its affiliates to collect user data such as phone numbers and locations. This sparked a backlash in Turkey and an investigation by the Competition Council. Read more

“This is not the case as we no longer intend to deploy the update in Turkey. We continue to discuss the next steps with the relevant authorities and we remain fully committed to providing secure and private communications for all of them, “WhatsApp said.

He said the update did not expand his ability to share data with Facebook or affect the privacy of personal messages with friends or family.

“We are continuing to roll out our update gradually around the world and the majority of people who received it have accepted it,” WhatsApp added.

Earlier on Friday, the Competition Council said WhatsApp had informed it that the update in question involving data sharing would not be forced on any user in Turkey, including those who had already approved it.

WhatsApp’s move had prompted many people to migrate to other messaging apps such as Turkey’s national BiP, a Turkcell unit, or Signal or Telegram.

The Turkish government has imposed new restrictions and fines on social media companies since a law was passed in July which it says strengthens local oversight of foreign companies. Critics say the law stifles dissent from Turks who have switched to online platforms since the government tightened its grip on mainstream media.

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