WhatsApp Delays Privacy Policy Changes After Confusion Backlash

WhatsApp Delays Privacy Policy Changes After Confusion Backlash.

WhatsApp is again at the center of controversy as it delays it’s planned privacy policy changes until May 15. The terms of service have become one of the biggest controversies that the company has suffered since its inception over 10 years ago.

In February 2021, changes in the data collection and information that Facebook would send meant that many users stopped using WhatsApp and even started a campaign against it.

Every user, by 8 February, had been presented with a screen that warned them that the app was “updating its terms and privacy policy”. WhatsApp is open about the changes, emphasising that the “key updates” affect how the company processes user data, and how businesses can use a new set of features that integrate WhatsApp’s shopping features with Facebook’s wider business.

But the announcement also underscored a truth that many had been reluctant to acknowledge: if you’re a WhatsApp user, you’re a Facebook customer, and while the two services have historically been quite distinct, the process of integration only moves in one direction.

Now, a new message sent to users who have not yet accepted these changes announces that the time for acceptance of these conditions is delayed until May 15.

The message explains that until May 15, it will not yet be mandatory to have accepted the conditions: if you don’t accept them after that date you will not be able to send or receive messages; you will have a short period of time to download all your information stored there and continue receiving calls or notifications.
The grace period given to these users has not yet been specified, however, after that period the account will be deleted.
How is WhatsApp changing?
WhatsApp has now published a chart series which help to understand what this is about, but in Europe, the privacy policy is different from that of the rest of the world. The data that WhatsApp shares with Facebook is much more limited thanks to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
WhatsApp have made it clear in their latest statement that, “there are no changes in data exchange practices in the European region (including the United Kingdom) arising from the updated Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.”
 
Sources: then24

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Ron Howells

Ron actually started his working career as an Ophthalmic Technician- things changed when, during a band rehearsal, his amplifier blew up and he couldn’t get it fixed so he took a course at Birmingham University and ended up doing a degree course. He built up a chain of electronics stores and sold them as a franchise over 35 years ago. After five years touring the world Ron decided to move to Spain with his wife and son, a place they had visited over the years, and only bought the villa they live in because it has a guitar-shaped swimming pool!. Playing the guitar since the age of 7, he can often be seen, (and heard!) at beach bars and clubs along the length of the coast. He has always been interested in the news and constantly thrives to present his articles in an interesting and engaging way.

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