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WhatsApp privacy policy has been updated yet again, and the popular free messaging app owned by Facebook has made it mandatory for users to accept the latest terms and conditions before 8 February 2021. As per the latest privacy policy, WhatsApp has stated that user data may be shared with Facebook. Some of the key updates include how user data is processed, how businesses can use Facebook hosted services to store and manage their WhatsApp chats, and how the company partners with Facebook to offer integrations across the Facebook company products.
This move has led to widespread furor on Twitter, as users have been given no choice but to either accept the terms and conditions or have their accounts deleted. “Heads up WhatsApp users: Mandatory data sharing with Facebook starting Feb 8th. As per the link below "third-party apps might be able to read your communication on behalf of the business you’re interacting with. So much for privacy on WhatsApp,” says Julia Greaven on Twitter like several others.
What the Latest WhatsApp Privacy Policy States
According to the official website, as part of the Facebook Companies, WhatsApp “receives information from, and shares information (see here) with, the other Facebook Companies”. The platform goes on to add that both companies may use the information they receive from each other “to help operate, provide, improve, understand, customize, support, and market services and their offerings, including the Facebook Company Products”. Some of the use of information, according to the Facebook-owned platform, may be used for the following:
- To help improve infrastructure and delivery systems.
- To understand how services provided by WhatsApp or Facebook are used.
- To promote safety and integrity, as well as to fight spam and misuse of the platforms.
- To improve services, and this includes making relevant suggestions, personalising content and displaying the relevant ads.
- Providing integrations that help users connect WhatsApp experiences with Facebook products.
While it is being widely debated among users on if these updates are really needed, there has been no official word from WhatsApp or Facebook so far on the matter.