The Consequences Of Not Accepting WhatsApp’s Privacy Policy Update
Are you aware that the deadline for WhatsApp privacy policy changes 2021 is approaching closer?
Well, if you’re a “ping me on WhatsApp” person, then the deadline for agreeing to the new privacy terms and conditions of WhatsApp is something you should not forget.
Wondering what makes these new terms and conditions so crucial to agree to? After all, we get numerous pop-ups containing terms and conditions updates we hardly bother to even look at while accessing apps.
What makes WhatsApp’s privacy policy update so significant?
Well, for everyone and anyone who depends on this instant messaging app called WhatsApp, here’s everything to know about its new T’s and C’s and what might happen if you don’t agree to those by this month!
The Deadline
So when exactly is the deadline for signing off the new privacy policy?
Well, it’s the 15th of May, 2021.
From the very moment WhatsApp rolled out an update to its privacy terms and conditions, it has been receiving some serious flak.
Initially, the deadline for agreeing to the WhatsApp privacy policy update was 8th February 2021. However, given the harsh criticism it received from its users all over the world, WhatsApp decided to push the deadline further.
And now, it’s on 15th May 2021.
The New Privacy Policy Of WhatsApp
This new privacy policy update has been in controversy since its first announcement, especially among those who have been concerned about WhatsApp privacy issues. Because since 2016 that WhatsApp has been sharing personal information of users like their phone numbers with Facebook.
And now the new update rolling in, people are doubting whether WhatsApp will share the personal messages with its parent company or not. And guessing the dilemma among users about whether WhatsApp's new policy is safe or not, WhatsApp has shown an in-app message to the users detailing what this new update will contain.
As per WhatsApp’s update, the new privacy policy is more related to the messages that are forwarded to the businesses. WhatsApp may store these messages on Facebook servers and the data may be used for advertising purposes.
Explaining how it processes user data, WhatsApp has added that the messages exchanged between individuals on WhatsApp follow end-to-end encryption, which means only the recipients can see the content of the messages.
The in-app message also contains details about how the partnership between Facebook and WhatsApp can provide integration across the products by the Facebook company.
What Happens If You Don’t ‘Accept’
Don’t accept the new terms and conditions, and it will result in limited access to WhatsApp functionalities. Yes, after 15th May, some core functions of the app won’t work for those who do not agree to the WhatsApp new privacy policy.
By limited WhatsApp functionality, what WhatsApp meant is users will no longer be able to read messages or send messages on the app. However, as confirmed by WhatsApp authority, users will still be able to receive notifications and calls.
But even this limited access will be allowed by WhatsApp only for a ‘brief’ time.
Yes, the limited access that WhatsApp will provide to users who don’t agree to the WhatsApp new privacy policy 2021 will be only for a few weeks.
This messaging service owned by Facebook has further confirmed that it will not delete the account of the users who don’t agree to the privacy policy update on 15th May. Even after May 15, users will be able to ‘accept’ the new terms and conditions of WhatsApp.
However, if they still do not do so, they can hardly do much on WhatsApp. And as cautioned by WhatsApp, we already know that if an account is inactive for 120 days, it generally gets deleted by WhatsApp.
Manually Accepting The Policy Update
Have you skipped accepting the in-app message containing the privacy policy update and are now worrying over how to accept WhatsApp's new policy manually?
Well, WhatsApp has decided to inform its users about the update via pop-up. And this pop-up notification usually appears when users open WhatsApp, though there’s no specific timing or rules regarding how or when the notification is displayed.
And clicking on the ‘Not Now’ option, when WhatsApp presents its new privacy policy means, you are not accepting the update. And sadly, till now there’s no solution to how to accept WhatsApp's new policy manually.
But given the deadline is coming closer, WhatsApp is likely to force each of its users in accepting its new privacy policy and hence, may offer either a manual option or show the pop-up message again.
Final Words
Forcing people to sign a new privacy policy is certainly a bummer!
This time, WhatsApp is asking for the consent of its users to its new privacy terms and conditions rather slowly without causing a privacy scare as it did once in January (Hell of an uproar it was!).
If you do love using WhatsApp and don’t want to switch to another messaging app, then now is your cue to accept the WhatsApp new privacy policy 2021.
Or else, start looking for a suitable alternative right away!
