WhatsApp’s new update in its privacy policy states that users have time until February 8 to accept the new terms and conditions. WhatsApp’s new approach towards the privacy of its user. The policy talks about how user data is impacted when a user interacts with a business on this platform. It also talks about providing more details with Facebook, which is WhatsApp’s parent company.
Will WhatsApp share your messages with Facebook?
The answer is a clear NO. The privacy policy of WhatsApp for personal chats remains the same. WhatsApp remains to be end-to-end encrypted with no third party involvement. In a statement, WhatsApp said: “The update does not change WhatsApp’s data-sharing practices with Facebook and does not impact how people communicate privately with friends or family… WhatsApp remains deeply committed to protecting people’s privacy.”
What data will WhatsApp share with Facebook?
Data exchange with its parent company is already an ongoing process. Only the European Union people are exempted from this list as they are free to opt-out from this while the whole other doesn’t have the choice regarding the same.
WhatsApp is currently sharing the following information with Facebook and its other companies. They are service-related information, account registration information (phone number), transaction data (WhatsApp now has payments in India), IP address, mobile device information, and information on how you interact with others (including businesses).
WhatsApp is also collecting more information like driver and device hardware details now.
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Why does this data exchange with the Facebook matter?
All the policies laid by WhatsApp states all the reasons for data sharing on Facebook. The company feels to ensure better security at every level for their user and pushing back spam into the trash can, and improving the overall user experience. All the stated policy is present since the beginning when Facebook took over WhatsApp.
CEO Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, in the year 2019, shared his vision about cross-platform messaging. All the platforms owned by Facebook – Instagram, WhatsApp & Facebook should be connected to one messaging platform. Mark calls it “interoperability. This explains evidently why Mark and the whole team of Facebook are rushing for the new update in WhatsApp..”
Talking about Instagram & Facebook, they are integrated and collaborated for a time now. Their messaging platforms are collaborated and merged to become one, and that’s how Mark wants to develop and enhance WhatsApp. The idea for rooms is already created but to upscale the feature. This integration has its importance.
Does it mean WhatsApp will use your data for ads?
WhatsApp currently does not run any ads. The further speculations about the plans also state the same. Suppose you guys are worried about your privacy being infringed or breached. Or if you are concerned about your message being taken into use for improvement in ads, it won’t happen. All the messages shared on WhatsApp are encrypted and cannot be used by third-party companies.
But the new and improved data sharing policy will improve the ad surfing ad viewing experience across other Facebook platforms.
Is WhatsApp storing messages?
If you think that WhatsApp stores your messages and chats, then it’s a NO. WhatsApp is not holding your messages. According to the privacy policy, all the messages and conversations are encrypted, and WhatsApp cannot store them. Once a message is delivered its deleted from the WhatsApps server. It can hold a message that too only for up to 30 days if the message sent is undelivered. WhatsApp continuously tries to resend the news, and if it exceeds the time limit of 30 days. The message is automatically deleted from the servers.
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What does the policy say about data shared with businesses?
Businesses are using WhatsApp as a platform for their promotions and updates regarding all the interactional activities. This is how the next update of WhatsApp will work. Once you start interacting with a business account, the servers will soak in essential data and customer behaviors towards a business.
The company’s contents and data on WhatsApp will be available and visible to several people in that business. WhatsApp considers this database to be a potential earning and monetizing model as WhatsApp has crossed 50 million business accounts.
The policy also regarded users to go through the business privacy policy carefully once or directly contact the company regarding data sharing. The official also added – “that some businesses might be working with third-party service providers (which may include Facebook) to help manage their communications with their customers.”