WhatsApp Will Stop Users From Reading, Sending Messages After May 15, If They Don’t Do This

Due to online fury and huge virtual meltdown post the announcement of its new privacy policy, WhatsApp postponed the implementation of said policy. However, it has just revealed what will happen to users who do not accept its new privacy policy by the May 15 deadline.

As Of Now Applicable To Business Accounts, Not Personal Accounts

To be clearer, the new privacy policy shall apply to businesses that use WhatsApp to communicate with their clients and not the users who use the app just to message friends and family.

WhatsApp shall “slowly ask” users to accept the new privacy policy “in order to have full functionality” of the app. For those who do not accept the new terms, though their accounts shall not be deleted but shall not be able to use the messaging app like before.

Whatsapp said that, if the new privacy policy is not accepted, for a short time an user may be able to receive calls and notifications, but won’t be able to read or send messages from the app.

Options That Users Have

In short, users are going to have two options:

1. Give in and accept the new privacy policies.
2. Download your chat history and move to another messaging app.

Users who do not accept the new privacy policy by May 15 will be considered inactive users and subject to WhatsApp’s existing policy.

Whatsapp said that if any user does not accept the new privacy policy, it will still be able to get back to the app with full functionality, however if policy is not accepted, the account of the user shall deemed to be inactive. Also, inactive accounts are automatically deleted after 120 days.

WhatsApp stated that WhatsApp accounts are generally deleted after 120 days of inactivity in order to maintain security, limit data retention, and protect the privacy of users.

However, it said that prior to account deletion, content stored locally on a user’s device shall remain intact till WhatsApp is deleted. Once the user reregisters for WhatsApp on the same device, their locally stored content will reappear. However, we will have to wait for more clarity if the accounts will be deleted or not.

Also, the messaging platform is assuring its users that their personal data is not being shared with its parent company, Facebook.

A display banner shall be given which in turn shall provide more information about the privacy policy which people in turn can read at their own pace and then remind the users to review as well as accept these updates in order to continue using the app.

Whatsapp, in its announcement, clarified that they charge businesses to provide “customer service” on the app in order to provide WhatsApp for free. It provides customer service and also gets Facebook involved so that businesses can manage their inventory across apps.

Though some users are outraged by this move, it is important for us to know that in the tech world, if you use an app for free then most probably you are paying for it with your data.