WhatsApp is upgrading its privacy policy and has asked users to review and agree to the new terms.
Is the new policy dangerous?
Although there has been a lot of discussion as to why these sudden changes in policy are happening, WhatApps has repeatedly ensured its users that these new changes are not dangerous at all. If anything, they are even more favourable for their users.
What happens if you don’t accept the new policy?
Users have until 15th May 2021 to accept the new policy. Users who refuse to accept the new privacy policy will not have their accounts deleted immediately, but they will have limited functionality, meaning they will not be able to send or read messages from the app. They would still be able to make calls and get notifications, but only for a limited period. Whatsapp has explained the process in the FQAs section on their website
How does the updated privacy policy change things for businesses and users?
Users will be able to do business communication faster using WhatsApp than email or other channels. Users can message businesses to ask questions, make purchases, and get information. It’s their choice whether they chat with a business on WhatsApp, and can block or remove them from their contact list. WhatsApp gives full autonomy to users.
Is WhatsApp’s new privacy policy risky?
No, WhatsApp’s new privacy policy isn’t a security risk. Your chats, the attachments you share, or the location you send all are end-to-end encrypted. WhatsApp do not keep logs of who everyone is messaging or calling, and WhatsApp does not share your contacts with Facebook., hence no third-party or Facebook can see them or use your personal data
Is it possible for a third party to read WhatsApp messages?
End-to-end encryption protects WhatsApp conversations, ensuring that no third parties can read them. This means that only the sender and the recipient can see them.
Is it possible to give someone your WhatsApp without giving them your phone number?
WhatsApp has a feature called “Click to Chat,” which allows users to start a conversation with someone without saving their phone number in the phone’s address book. It is, however, necessary to know the phone number of the person with whom you wish to converse.
How does the new WhatApp policy give users extra protection from the business?
WhatsApp will not give your number to a business, and its policies prohibit businesses from contacting you on WhatsApp without first receiving your approval to do so.
The additional privacy features, such as setting your messages to disappear or controlling who can add you to groups, give you an added layer of privacy.
Moreover, The Facebook-owned messaging service says that it won’t delete any accounts that haven’t accepted the new terms on May 15th, and that users will still be able to accept the new privacy policy after that date. But users don’t have any other option than to accept these policy changes.
Switching to other alternatives like Line or Telegram is also an option but it all boils down to the number of users that flock to these new platforms. As their user base is quite limited.
