WhatsApp announced its new policy. policy will be applicable from 8 February 2021 Whats-App is already sending notification prompting users to accept the policy if they wish to continue the service.
Whats-App announced its new policy, and it came like a storm for 2 billion monthly active users globally. While the policy will be applicable from 8 February 2021 Whats-App is already sending notification prompting users to accept the policy if they wish to continue the service.
WhatsApp said, “when a user relies on third party services or other company products integrated with Whats-App, those third-party will receive information about what you share.”
What’s in the new policy?
The new policy informs how user data is impacted when someone interacts with a business on the app. It further provides detail on integration with Facebook, which is the parent company.
Can Facebook now peek into Whats-app messages?
Not at all! The new policy does not change the way personal chat functions or how Whatsapp treats personal conversations. It remains encrypted, and no third-party can access them. Additionally, WhatsApp has given a statement saying, Whatsapp will always be concerned about protecting people’s privacy. Hence, the new policy will not impact how you communicate with your friends and family.
What information will WhatsApp share with Facebook?
Here’s what Facebook can access from your Whats-app usage –
- Account registration information (including your phone number)
- Payment transaction data
- Service-related information,
- Data about how you interact with other businesses
- Mobile device information
- IP address
- Device hardware information
Is the policy for India different?
While European Union users can opt-out of data-sharing with Facebook, the other countries do not have this choice. Further, Whats-App for India now has the payment feature. Hence the new policy also talks about how payment transaction data will be shared with Facebook.
Confederation of All India Traders Take on the New Policy
The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has strongly opposed the new policy saying they are concerned about how Whatsapp will use the data. The CAIT body has written to Ravi Shankar Prasad (Minister of IT) requesting to restrict New Policy implementation. On 11th January 2021 an appeal on Whatsapp ban reached PM, Modi. However, the government is yet to react
