That's all opinionated, and the latter is part of the OS, not WhatsApp. Not liking how an app works does not compare to an app exfiltrating data without your consent.

Let me explain: my WhatsApp has no privileges granted. So when a call comes in, which is a very rare thing, I get asked to grant the microphone permission. So I grant it, but only for one time, and when Android hands back focus to WhatsApp, it won't just make use of the microphone, but re-ask for microphone access, so you go into the permissions intent but there it is already set to "only this time". Only if i change it to "when I am using the app", then it works, but that is not acceptable for me, because that background use is a passive use, which can access the microphone. This means that WhatsApp can enable the mic whenever it likes, which it cannot do if "only this time" is selected. But the app is against that. I do not know how they do this, but that is what happens.

They are not comparing it to the data issue. The original issue was lead to further conversation. It’s a valid concern and they make a good point.