WhatsApp has introduced its updated terms and privacy policy for its users around the world.
WABetaInfo made a tweet about new updates of WhatsApp and said “WhatsApp has announced new privacy updates for Android and iOS users around the globe.”
Among all changes, the company has updated its messaging service regarding the personal data of its users. One of the most important WhatsApp updates is that now Facebook hosted-businesses can store, manage, and control their WhatsApp chats.
New terms of services also provide the company’s insight to its users and tell information about WhatsApp is interacting with Facebook (its parent company).
Sources and reports said that the new privacy policy and terms of services will become official from 8th February. Users who accept new terms and privacy policy will allow continuing using their account and those who don’t accept will mesh out from accessing their account.
New updates were rolled out instantly after this broad messaging app introduced its new Beta updates for the very first time in 2021. The portal has informed that WhatsApp has already started asking its users to accept new terms and privacy policy. Portal has said that “these new updates will not changing your messaging experience on WhatsApp. Moreover, chats, calls, and statuses of users are still end-to-end encrypted.
WhatsApp has also introduced a new feature and it is about multi-device use. According to WABetaInfo, currently, this new feature is not available for all users.
This new incredible feature allows WhatsApp users to use WhatsApp on multiple devices at one time and it is not necessary for the main device to have a stable internet connection. Portal said “WhatsApp is thinking to introduce the idea of Beta for WhatsApp Web too. In this way, users will be allowed to use WhatsApp Web without connecting their cell phones to the internet.”
But WhatsApp still has not announced the official date for releasing this new and incredible feature.
Explained: Everything You Know About New WhatsApp Updates
Here are some insights that you should keep in mind about updates of Terms services and the privacy policy of WhatsApp.
Is it necessary to accept the new privacy policy?
It is not news that WhatsApp has made updates on its services and policy. Different software companies occasionally update their policies to give a better user experience. It is necessary for users to accept all new updates to continue their use of this messaging app.
What are the important changes in the Privacy Policy?
Before updates, the privacy policy of WhatsApp starts with some lines about your private information coded into their data base and how WhatsApp used string privacy principles to protect you. But after updates, previous follow up of lines is completely vanished. Meanwhile, chats on WhatsApp are still end-to-end encrypted and it means WhatsApp cannot read or share your private chat with anyone else. According to the new policy, WhatsApp will rely on some products of Facebook.
Is WhatsApp also collecting hardware information of its users?
The new privacy policy also suggests that WhatsApp will collect new device information of its users such as IP address, battery level, device name, app version, signal strength, mobile network, browse information, language & time zone, operation info of device, and connection information (including mobile operator and phone number).
What are the changes in WhatsApp according to other product services of Facebook?
WhatsApp privacy policy explains that “if users are integrated with third-party or using other Facebook Company Product then those third-party services will able to receive information about what you are searching and sharing with others. WhatsApp briefly explains that when a WhatsApp user relies on this information such as (IP address), it will be provided to Facebook Company Products or to third-party in question.
For Example, when you use Google and iCloud to Back up your chats, these services are able to read your messages. In general, nothing is changing; you can still have a great user-experience with WhatsApp. The only update in the privacy policy is that WhatsApp is further elaborating and further expanding its services. It means if a user relies on third-party integrations, WhatsApp will share their data with Facebook Company Products. Eventually, it is a great update for Facebook businesses.
WhatsApp has now updated some interactive features like chat rooms on Facebook. WhatsApp also clarifies that if a user is using third-party services or Facebook Company Products “the terms and privacy of those products and services will govern according to user interaction with them.”
WhatsApp has greatly explained its infrastructure and delivery system of data and how it is elaborating with its parent company Facebook. There is also great detail available about how Facebook is a business forum and how different groups of business companies interact with each other. In the end, it is also explained that these new updates also include information exchange that eventually helps businesses to improve ads for Facebook Company Products.
What is an update about deleting your WhatsApp account?
New updates in privacy policy highlight that if a user only uninstalls WhatsApp from their phone and does not use the in-app delete account feature then their account details will remain available. So just uninstalling the app is not enough. It further adds that “deleting your account does not affect the information you store on WhatsApp. All information including the groups you made, information of other users relating you or sending data of groups to others will remain store on the platform.”
What does privacy policy say about location and storage data?
WhatsApp clearly mentions in its new privacy policy updates that the app is working according to the infrastructure and data centres of Facebook. It also mentioned that WhatsApp will send some data of its users to Facebook companies based in the United States. Further according to policy “transfer of data is needed to maintain the global services mention in our terms.”
WhatsApp’s new privacy policy says that if a person is not using their location feature then the company will use their IP address and phone number to estimate their general country and city.
Is there also an update about WhatsApp payments?
WhatsApp has rolled out its update about payments not only in the UK & US but also in other countries. According to expanded updates, if a user uses WhatsApp payment services then WhatsApp will collect some information about you such as transaction time and account details.
All these new updates about terms of services and privacy policy will become official on 8 February 2021.
