WhatsApp Updated Privacy Policy by Feb

WhatsApp Reminding Users to Accept Updated Privacy Policy by May 15 to Continue Using App.

WhatsApp clarified at the time of announcing the new policy that it was mainly meant for businesses using its platform.

WhatsApp has started reminding users of its updated privacy policy and how it will take effect from May 15. The Facebook-owned instant messaging service updated its privacy policy early in February, asking users to accept the new terms by February 8. However, due to strong public outrage against the new policy, it postponed the date of implementation to May 15. Now, WhatsApp users are sharing on Twitter that the service is reminding them to accept the new policy.

Multiple users took to Twitter to share screenshots of notifications from WhatsApp re-iterating its privacy policy that it announced early in February. WhatsApp seems to be reminding its users that they need to accept the new policy before May 15, if they wish to continue using the messaging app.

It then briefly describes the new policy stating that WhatsApp is not changing the privacy of a user’s personal conversations. It also reiterates that the privacy policy goes into effect form May 15, 2021, and that users need to accept it in order to continue using WhatsApp after the date. The notification can also be cleared away without having to accept the policy.

WhatsApp drew flak from users when it announced it will be changing the way it shares user data through its platform as part of its updated privacy policy. The updated policy is mainly meant for businesses using its platform, as per the Facebook-owned messaging service. but the app will be allowed to share user details such as their phone numbers and transaction data if the policy is accepted. It also allows WhatsApp to share data with Facebook and its other subsidiaries.

If users do not accept the new policy by May 15, they wouldn’t have full functionality of WhatsApp till they accept. Users will be able to receive calls and notifications for a short time. but will not be able to read or send messages from the app.

 

• The updated Privacy Policy will go into effect on February 8, 2021.
• The rationale for the changes in the WhatsApp privacy
• purchase and get help from a business directly on WhatsApp.
• This update does not impact how people communicate privately with friends or family. WhatsApp is still end-to-end encrypted.
• WhatsApp shares certain categories of data
• policy is to make it easier for people to both make a  – including account registration information (e.g. phone number), how users interact with others (including businesses), and the user’s IP address –  with Facebook for purposes such as  promoting safety and integrity, fighting spam, improving infrastructure and delivery systems, and providing integrations which enable users to connect their WhatsApp experiences with other Facebook Company Products and personalizing content (including ads and friend suggestions) across the Facebook Company Products.  That has been the case since 2016 and has not changed with this update.
• WhatsApp is making it easier for people to both make a purchase and get help from a business (using WhatsApp Business API) directly on WhatsApp. This change helps reduce onboarding time for businesses from a matter of weeks or months to a matter of minutes.
• Users will be notified within a chat with a business that has chosen to use Facebook or a third-party to manage their WhatsApp messages so they can choose whether to interact with this business.
• Once a user starts using WhatsApp to send messages to businesses using WhatsApp for Business App, the shopping data can be shared with merchants and Facebook to improve their services. It doesn’t mean you will see ads on WhatsApp.
• This has zero impact on private messages and calls with your friends and family – no one can read them except you and the person you’re communicating with – not even WhatsApp or Facebook.
• For the limited categories of data WhatsApp does collect, it takes measures to restrict access to that information. While you may grant WhatsApp access to your contacts to help deliver the messages you send, WhatsApp does not share contact lists with anyone, including Facebook.
• Users who have not accepted the new policies by February 8, 2021 will not lose their accounts, but will need to agree to the updates in order to use their account.
• To help users in Pakistan, WhatsApp has also developed these FAQs: (https://faq.whatsapp.com/general/security-and-privacy/answering-your-questions-about-whatsapps-privacy-policy?lang=ur) in Urdu, which are now available on WhatsApp website.

This information is provided by WhatsApp and disseminated in good faith as a public service information without any liability whatsoever on the Authority as a result of this information.