The thing is clear: either you accept the new conditions or you will not be able to use WhatsApp. It is not a choice, it is simply a very clear lack of options, an imposition, an obligation clearly. In 2016, Facebook changed the WhatsApp Terms and Services – which it acquired in 2014 -, and in addition to causing a wave of criticism against it, it no longer leaves the user any room for maneuver.
New terms of use on WhatsApp
5 years later, and just at the start of the new year, Facebook presents us with the same decision, which in reality leaves us only one way out. The social network announced changes to its terms and privacy policy that users must agree to in order to continue using the messaging service. And there is also a deadline: February 8.
But what are these changes? Well, nothing less than a change to its terms and privacy policy that involves data sharing with Facebook. In other words: If you do not agree to your WhatsApp data being shared with the Facebook social network, you will not be able to continue using WhatsApp.
These changes refer to the data that WhatsApp collects from users and how it is processed. Also how businesses can use Facebook to host their services and manage their conversations on WhatsApp. According to the notice you should have previously ignored on WhatsApp, the app collects information from users “to operate, provide, improve, understand, personalize, support and promote” its services.
Data that WhatsApp collects from you
Exactly what data does WhatsApp collect from you when you use its app, and therefore what data you could share with Facebook if you agree to the new terms ?:
Phone number create the accountBasic profile informationDevice location (if the user wants to share it with their contacts)messages (temporarily and encrypted if these were not delivered or are part of a media file transfer)Contacts calendarShared statesPayment details
Automatically, WhatsApp also collects information about user activity in the app. (parameters, interaction, frequency), diagnostic service, or device and connection (model, operating system, battery charge level, time zone, IP address). It also sets “cookies” to operate and deliver services, in addition to providing internet services, improving experiences, understanding how services are used and personalizing them.
And even information from third parties, other users with whom the user contacts or who have the user’s phone number in his calendar, complaints of alleged infringements, companies with which he interacts in the application or service providers.
Accept it or delete your WhatsApp account
As a Facebook company (like Facebook, Instagram or Oculus), WhatsApp shares this data that it collects with other companies in the group, as these companies share user data with WhatsApp.
The official message doesn’t ask, but instead forces you to agree to the new policies in order to continue using WhatsApp, but what if you don’t want to? What if you refuse? Than WhatsApp, very subtly, refers you to their help center if you do not agree to delete your account. In other words: to delete your WhatsApp account. As they say, who does not accept in the next 4 weeks, You will no longer be able to use WhatsApp from February 8
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