The Facebook-owned messaging giant, WhatsApp has started informing its users of important changes to its privacy policy. The team behind the platform has updated the terms of service and the policy for processing user data; and also began to warn users about upcoming changes.
Users are also being warned that they must agree to the new terms in order to continue using the messenger. The new terms and conditions and policies are effective from 8 February 2021. From this date, in order to use WhatsApp, you must express your consent by clicking on the corresponding button.
WhatsApp reports the following regarding the major changes:
- Additional Information On How We Handle Your Data. Our updated Terms and Privacy Policy provide more information on how we process your data, and our commitment to privacy. For example, we’ve added more information about more recent product features and functionalities, how we process your data for safety, security and integrity, and added more direct links to user settings, Help Center articles and how you can manage your information.
- Better Communication With Businesses. Many businesses rely on WhatsApp to communicate with their customers and clients. We work with businesses that use Facebook or third parties to help store and better manage their communications with you on WhatsApp.
- Making It Easier To Connect. As part of the Facebook Companies, WhatsApp partners with Facebook to offer experiences and integrations across Facebook’s family of apps and products.
WHAT INFORMATION DOES WHATSAPP SHARE WITH THE FACEBOOK COMPANIES?
WhatsApp currently shares certain categories of information with Facebook Companies. The information we share with the other Facebook Companies includes your account registration information (such as your phone number), transaction data, service-related information, information on how you interact with others (including businesses) when using our Services, mobile device information, your IP address, and may include other information identified in the Privacy Policy section entitled ‘Information We Collect’ or obtained upon notice to you or based on your consent.
