- It’s hard to imagine what we did before WhatsApp came along, but the messaging service has recently announced accounts could be deleted this February.
- The warning comes as it integrates its services and updates its privacy policy, with messages appearing on Android phones and iPhones.
Millions of accounts are risk being deleted on February 8 if users do not agree to WhatsApp sharing data with Facebook.
The message warns: “We are updating WhatsApp’s privacy policy. Key updates include more information about: WhatsApp’s service and how we process your data, how businesses can use Facebook hosted services to store and manage their WhatsApp chats, how we partner with Facebook to offer integrations across the Facebook Company Products.”
It continues: “By tapping AGREE, you accept the new terms and privacy policy.
“The policy will take effect on February 8, 2021. After this date you will need to accept these updates to continue using WhatsApp.
“You can visit the Help Center if you would prefer to delete your account and would like more info.”
Justifying the changes, WhatsApp said: “WhatsApp updated its policy over four years ago to outline how we work with Facebook – and the summary remains the same as what we said at the time.
“Every user will be notified within the chat if the business they are talking to has chosen to use Facebook to manage and store their WhatsApp messages.
“People do not have to message or interact with businesses on WhatsApp if they choose not to do so. As has always been the case, users are in control of who they chat with and can still easily block a business on WhatsApp if they want.
“Anyone who hasn’t accepted by that time will need to do so in order to keep using WhatsApp,” they added.
It’s worth noting that there is a separate EU version of the privacy policy which is different, in accordance with different laws.
There are no material changes to the underlying data processing in the EU: in particular, WhatsApp does still not share EU WhatsApp user data with Facebook for the purpose of Facebook using this data to improve products and advertisements.
There will be no change in data sharing with Facebook for non-business chats and account information.