WhatsApp’s privacy policy takes effect from today. The privacy policy has brought WhatsApp quite a lot of backlashes and although it takes effect from today, WhatsApp has taken back some of its decisions about what would happen to the accounts of those that reject the privacy policy update.
The most severe of the ‘punishment’ for those who refused the policy was that they’d lose their accounts but WhatsApp recently scrapped that saying that users won’t lose any functionality if they fail to accept the privacy policy update today. WhatsApp will also no longer delete the accounts of users.
WhatsApp also recently filed an affidavit to the Delhi High Court (DHC) claiming that other technology firms and apps already collect the information and even more than it plans to with the new policy. WhatsApp claims that with its privacy policy, it will only be joining the list that is already collecting user information.
The new privacy policy takes effect today, here are some of the things you need to get ready for if you are still not going to accept it.
WhatsApp will no longer delete your account as previously announced. “No one will have their accounts deleted or lose functionality of WhatsApp on May 15th because of this update”, but there are conditions to this.
Users who plan on delaying or completely rejecting the policy will have to get ready for WhatsApp’s constant notification asking them to accept the terms. “After giving everyone time to review, we’re continuing to remind those who haven’t had the chance to do so to review and accept. After a period of several weeks, the reminder people receive will eventually become persistent”, WhatsApp said.
Constant reminders will not be the only thing to worry about. “At that time, you’ll encounter limited functionality on WhatsApp until you accept the updates”, the Facebook-owned company said. There also will be no deadline for how long users will receive these notifications but “this will not happen to all users at the same time”, WhatsApp says.
Users who plan to reject should also look forward to being able to receive only voice and video calls. They will be unable to read messages or access them. Good thing is, users will be able to respond to voice and video calls that they have missed.
According to information on WhatsApp’s FAQ page, “After a few weeks of limited functionality, you won’t be able to receive incoming calls or notifications and WhatsApp will stop sending messages and calls to your phone”. Users can although prevent getting to this stage by simply exporting their chat history. Apps like Telegram and Signal have these features.
WhatsApp also revealed that the Inactive Accounts Policy will apply for these accounts after some time.
WhatsApp also recently announced that it is testing its UPI payments feature.
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Paul Femi Balo is the founder and publisher of TechBooky. He covers artificial intelligence, African technology, digital infrastructure, enterprise technology and the global digital economy.
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