Whatsapp pointed out a few months ago that new terms of use will apply in the future. From May 15th it will be tight for some users.
Update from Sunday, May 9th, 2021, 2:16 p.m .: Not long, then it can get hairy for WhatsApp users – because the messenger service from Facebook increases the pressure on users when it comes to terms and conditions. The company has now moved away from the threat of banning users who do not agree to the new terms and conditions by May 15, 2021 – but there are still consequences.
As Chip.de reports, it is planned to limit the chat functionality of the users until they have agreed to the terms and conditions. For example, users would then no longer be able to access their chat list. According to a spokesman for Whatsapp, it should be possible to receive messages and calls for at least a few more weeks.
But that should also be discontinued, reports Chip.de – then neither messages nor calls get through. According to Chip.de, a spokesman defended these drastic measures by stating that the new terms and conditions had been intensively clarified over the past few months and that a large majority had already accepted them.
Anyone who uses Whatsapp only has until May 15th to agree to the new guidelines – otherwise there will be drastic restrictions.
© Arno Burgi / dpa
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Whatsapp increases pressure on users: Those who do not agree will be blocked
Kassel – It is no secret that Whatsapp collects certain account information and usage data. If a pop-up in the app announces a changed data protection guideline, which comes into force on May 15th, the alarm lights may go on for many users.
However, there should be no changes in the revised directive applicable to the EU and Great Britain that affect the sharing of data with other Facebook companies, as a Whatsapp spokesman said. Initially, it was also planned to change the terms of use in the EU – as early as February 8, 2021. But users were angry about this forced update – and then the turning point came with Whtasapp.
Whatsapp changes the terms of use: Soon no more use possible without consent
It looks different globally. Because a different privacy policy applies to the rest of the world. Outside of the EU, WhatsApp user data has been sent to Facebook for advertising purposes or to improve products – albeit since 2016.
The new conditions must be approved in any case in order to be able to continue using Whatsapp in the future. However, the pop-up can be banished for the time being with a tap of the finger on the cross in the very top right (iPhone) or on the “Not now” button (Android). In this case, Whatsapp will continue to work until May 15th. However, you will then no longer have access to the service without consent.
Even if Whatsapp user data from the EU region is still not used for Facebook product improvements or advertising: The amended EU data protection directive still reveals which information Whatsapp collects and sometimes also exchanges with other Facebook services: In addition to the mobile phone number, Status information or transaction data include automatically collected data such as usage and protocol information, device and connection data or the location in the form of the IP address.
New terms of use for Whatsapp: data may not be used for product improvements and personalized advertisements
The service sets out the purpose of this metadata collection in the new EU data protection guideline as follows: Together they want to “take action against spam, threats, misuse or rights violations”, it says. “Whatsapp also works with and shares information with the other Facebook companies so that they can help us operate, provide, improve, understand, customize, support and market our services.”
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But then it is restricted: none of the information that Whatsapp passes on on this basis may be used for the Facebook company’s own purposes. In other words: no product improvements and no personalized ads on Facebook and its services with the help of this data.
Whatsapp has had a harmful virus around for some time. Experts warn: the malware is spreading faster and faster. (luw)
List of rubric lists: © Arno Burgi / dpa
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