Earlier this year, WhatsApp made changes to its privacy policy. The new terms stated the app would be sharing data with Facebook as a condition for use.
However, due to this initial, somewhat vague information, controversies arose over the internet. Consequently, Facebook, had to postpone changes regarding data sharing between the two networks.
Users had until May 15th to accept the new Privacy policy, but it seems WhatsApp is adding ‘several more weeks’. On its FAQ page, they explain that no one will have their accounts deleted or lose functionality due to the privacy policy.
You will continue to get infrequent reminders to accept the policy. After a while, the reminders will soon begin to become “persistent”.
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Eventually, after getting several weeks of persistent reminders and not accepting the policy, users won’t be able to access their chat list, meaning they won’t have the ability to send or receive texts. They will nonetheless, still be able to answer incoming phones and video calls.
And after a few weeks of limited functionality, you won’t be able to receive calls or notifications either, basically rendering the user’s WhatsApp account useless.
Ultimately, in accordance to their existing policy, the account will be deleted after 120 days of inactivity. Since the announcement, various end-to-end encryption alternatives like Telegram and Signal have emerged.
You may want to have a look at these if you feel your privacy is at risk.
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Alfred Gitonga is a passionate tech news writer with a deep interest in smartphones and related technologies. He is a staff writer at Mobitrends.co.ke.
