WhatsApp will disable messages unless users agree to new privacy policy
WhatsApp users who don't agree to the Facebook-owned service's updated privacy policy face the possibility of losing the ability to send or receive messages through the iPhone app.
WhatsApp is preparing to make changes to its privacy policy relating to some of its business chat features. The changes have become a subject of wariness for some users, but the service plans to encourage users to agree to the new policy.
Initially sent in an email to merchant partners, first spotted by TechCrunch, the WhatsApp website advises users have an "effective date" of May 15th to review the policy changes. WhatsApp "will not delete" user accounts that don't accept the policy updates, but they "won't have full functionality of WhatsApp" until they accept.
The page describes this as "For a short time, you'll be able to receive calls and notifications, but won't be able to read or send messages from the app." The duration of the "short time" is not defined.
After May 15, users will be able to accept the changes, but WhatsApp warns its policy "related to inactive users will apply." That policy advises accounts deemed inactive are "generally deleted after 120 days of inactivity."
Users are also informed they can export their chat history and download a report of their account before May 15. Account deletion advice is also offered, but with the further warning that it cannot be reversed.
WhatsApp experienced a backlash from users concerned about the inbound privacy policy changes. While the changes updated how business chat logs are stored to be retained on Facebook's servers, critics considered it a wider grab for personal data by Facebook itself.
The reaction from users led to an exodus for millions to other privacy services, including Telegram and Signal. In response, WhatsApp started to use its Status feature to remind users it cannot read their encrypted conversations.
WhatsApp is preparing to make changes to its privacy policy relating to some of its business chat features. The changes have become a subject of wariness for some users, but the service plans to encourage users to agree to the new policy.
Initially sent in an email to merchant partners, first spotted by TechCrunch, the WhatsApp website advises users have an "effective date" of May 15th to review the policy changes. WhatsApp "will not delete" user accounts that don't accept the policy updates, but they "won't have full functionality of WhatsApp" until they accept.
The page describes this as "For a short time, you'll be able to receive calls and notifications, but won't be able to read or send messages from the app." The duration of the "short time" is not defined.
After May 15, users will be able to accept the changes, but WhatsApp warns its policy "related to inactive users will apply." That policy advises accounts deemed inactive are "generally deleted after 120 days of inactivity."
Users are also informed they can export their chat history and download a report of their account before May 15. Account deletion advice is also offered, but with the further warning that it cannot be reversed.
WhatsApp experienced a backlash from users concerned about the inbound privacy policy changes. While the changes updated how business chat logs are stored to be retained on Facebook's servers, critics considered it a wider grab for personal data by Facebook itself.
The reaction from users led to an exodus for millions to other privacy services, including Telegram and Signal. In response, WhatsApp started to use its Status feature to remind users it cannot read their encrypted conversations.
Comments
Anyone else notice this huge uptake of the service too recently? Definitely good news for those of us using the service, the more on it, the more valuable it is as an everyday tool.
fixed it for you, AI.
he is acting like a dictator, forcing his users to do something they don’t want
So a few years later I went through the process of making a "new" account to see if I could resolve the issue - only to then receive a backlog of years worth of unread messages.
For those deleting their account (probably a wise move considering Whatsapp is owned by facebook) - I encourage you to test that the deletion was successful by asking a friend to try sending you a message - they should receive a messaging indicating as such.
However, corporations and the governments should be allowed to hire only people who do not pass their information off to companies like Facebook. Because it proves you are an idiot who can't handle anyone's private data securely. I realize the First Amendment might possibly block governments from doing this, but it wouldn't block private companies.
Presumably they also provide a device on which to use it, separate from one's own personal device? If not, that's pretty skeevy.
My employer uses Teams, but they in no way require it be used on our personal devices. In fact, they won't allow me to use it on my phone to connect to the company network, because I use a VPN that is not the company's on my phone.
When you really think about it, companies like Facebook are at their core incredibly lazy. They don’t want to do the hard work or make the massive investments needed to create their own consumption devices for the media they create, i.e., smartphones and devices, or build a store to distribute their wares. They look at Apple and think “our work is done”and that they can simply glom on to Apple’s hard work and rake in the profits. To a large degree, they can!
However, to benefit from Apple’s hard work and massive investment these incredibly lazy hangers-on have to play by Apple’s rules. And they’re complaining about it! They want it all, they want it their way, they don’t want to do the hard work, and they don’t want to play by the rules of their benefactor. What kind of distorted reality of universal entitlement do people like Zuckerberg live in?
Apple’s App Store is only one store. Apple owns it. It’s not a public utility. If Facebook wants total control over their company and the products they sell they need to build their own store or partner with someone who’ll do the work for them and not require them to follow any rules. Make it all run in a browser for all I care. I don’t care what it costs.