Facebook announced that it would gradually restrict features for WhatsApp users who did not accept the new privacy rules. However, the company changed its mind and withdrew from earlier “threats”.
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Users WhatsApp they can breathe a sigh of relief. Facebook will not force them to accept the privacy policy update that has been in force since May 15. Initially, the company announced that it would limit the functions available in the application to anyone who would not agree to the new terms. In the end, a different decision was made. In a statement submitted to “TheNextWeb”, Facebook noted:
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Given the recent discussions with various government officials and privacy experts, we want to make it clear that we do not currently plan to limit the functionality of WhatsApp to those who have yet to accept the new rules. Instead, we will remind users of them from time to time – including when using certain optional features.
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The company’s decision is most likely related to the desire to retain existing users and the criticism of “forcing” to accept the updated regulations. Many people saw it as a forced consent to share more data with Facebook. The new privacy policy was also not favored by many governments, including the authorities of Germany and India.
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Acceptance of the updated terms will not be a necessity, but WhatsApp from time to time it will remind you of this possibility. Facebook points out, however, that the appearing alerts will not be of a permanent nature and should not be a major inconvenience for application users. It also reassures that “updating the rules does not affect privacy when it comes to personal messages.”
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