Have you received an ‘in-app’ notification from WhatsApp regarding its privacy policies? Are you wondering what that is? Here is what you need to know before accepting the new WhatsApp Privacy Policy.
WhatsApp has updated its privacy policy and it has shaken the internet. This update is predicted to leave a sizeable impact on the way people communicate digitally. So what is this privacy policy update that WhatsApp has rolled out? What will happen to users’ account if they don’t accept these changes? This article will answer all these questions.
American freeware WhatsApp Messenger is a software application that allows exchanging of messages and multimedia along with facilitating audio and video calling. WhatsApp has a great number of monthly users in many countries. With India having most of the WhatsApp MAUs amounting to about 340 millions, countries like Brazil, US, Indonesia, Mexio, etc. follow.
Therefore, whenever WhatsApp rolls out any update, it affects the digital communication system of these countries. However, till now these changes have been more or less coped with. But this new privacy update is going to have real effects.
Since, many owners have been using WhatsApp for business purpose, this new update is also going to affect business persons and the digital marketing agencies in Leeds and all over. Wondering why is that? First let’s find out what this new policy is about.
What’s up with WhatsApp?
WhatsApp has rolled out many major updates in past few years. What started out as messaging software now also provides calling functions, status sharing, business account set up, payment services and so on. These new features and updates have greatly helped WhatsApp climb the ladder.
However, WhatsApp’s privacy policy rolled out in the beginning of the January 2021. And has already began causing drop in its popularity and usage.
The messenger app giant WhatsApp has recently updated its privacy policy. But this isn’t the real news. It’s not the first time and it is normal for such software platforms to update their policies every once in a while. However, this one has far-reaching effects.
The update in the words of WhatsApp itself-
“We collect information about your activity on our Services, like service-related, diagnostic, and performance information. This includes information about your activity (including how you use our Services, your Services settings, how you interact with others using our Services (including when you interact with a business), and the time, frequency, and duration of your activities and interactions), log files, and diagnostic, crash, website, and performance logs and reports.”
The freeware’s privacy terms further adds that it “may modify, suspend, or terminate your access to or use of our Services anytime for any reason, such as if you violate the letter or spirit of our Terms or create harm, risk, or possible legal exposure for us, our users, or others. We may also disable or delete your account if it does not become active after account registration or if it remains inactive for an extended period of time.”
Sounds just fine right? WhatsApp is going to use our data to provide use with better services and user experience. So..
What’s all the fuss about?
A large number of users have and continue to uninstall WhatsApp because it has explicitly mentioned that it will be sharing user data with its parent company Facebook. Therefore, if you agree to the terms and conditions of privacy policy according to this new update, you will allow Facebook to have access to your personal data on this social media. Hence, privacy conscious users are infuriated with this and are moving from it.
What happens if you don’t agree to WhatsApp’s updated privacy Policy?
“Okay, I will simply not accept the new update and continue to work with the old one.” If this is what you are, I have a bad news for you.
Actually, WhatsApp has made it compulsory for users to accept their updates terms of privacy. The dead line is 8th February 2021 as after this, the new terms will come into effect.
So, if you don’t accept these terms, you may as well uninstall the app. Since in case of non-acceptance, you will no longer be able to use WhatsApp after 8th Feb.
What should you do?
If you are okay with Facebook using your WhatsApp data to provide you with better services, you may click Agree the next time privacy update notification pops up. However, if you are concerned about your privacy and won’t like Facebook peeking into your personal data, you will need to make a choice.
You can either continue enjoying WhatsApp services and compromise on your privacy concerns or else, you’ll have to delete your account and uninstall the app.
Sounds outrageous, right?
Well, it is outrageous indeed but it is what it is now.
Therefore, many users are sorting to different alternatives of WhatsApp like Signal, Telegram, etc. It’s time you explore other digital communication apps.
Final word
WhatsApp has been sending in-app notifications to its users regarding the new update roll out. According to this Terms & Conditions update, its parent company Facebook will have access to the personal data of the users. Moreover, if you don’t agree to these new privacy terms, you won’t be able to avail its services after 8th Feb. Therefore, people who have privacy concerns are uninstalling WhatsApp and are looking for other alternatives. So, it leaves you with two choices, either share your private data or uninstall WhatsApp.
What are your thoughts on this new update? Leave a comment below and let us know.
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