Bursting Misconceptions About WhatsApp Privacy Policy

From the past few months, the most commonly used messaging app - Whatsapp is facing backlash due to the updates made in the app’s privacy policy in January 2021. On February 15th, the Supreme Court asked the company to take the required action to safeguard the privacy of its users. The Court also issued an official notice to the Centre and company seeking answers for lowering the standard for Indian users of the app.

Let us have a look at what the company states about the after-effects of the update of the policies:-

• Whatsapp may not immediately delete the account of users but can restrict access

Whatsapp is trying to give enough time to the users to analyze changes at their own pace and convenience. The company has extended the operative date to 15th May. Although if the users do not accept the policies, the company will not delete their account. However, the app may not be fully functional until the policies are accepted.

• Users may receive calls and notifications, but won't be allowed to read or send messages

The company stated that the users will be allowed to receive calls and notifications for a specific period but won't be able to read or send messages through the app.

• Users may lose their chat history

The users’ entire message history will be deleted if they do not accept the privacy policy of the app.

• No longer access to group chats

The users who breach the privacy policy of the app will be automatically removed from all the WhatsApp groups they are already a part of.

• The Chat History can be exported before 15th May

The users can easily download the report of their account and also export their chats before the implementation of updated privacy policies.