Have you received a WhatsApp
pop-up message saying that the terms of service and privacy policies will be
updated? Is this an update, or is it a
warning? And you've no third choice: accept or ignore, and the result is deficient
in both cases?
Here's all the information you
need about the latest What's App Privacy Policy Updates.
Why is this update confusing?
Let's make this clear: this is not
the first time that WhatsApp has revised its terms of service and privacy
policies. Almost software services do this as part of standard practice to
allow their users to access the services. The user agrees and goes on to the
latest terms and policies. Then why are there warning signs on WhatsApp this
time? It's because the Facebook-owned app offers users a deadline of February 8
to embrace the new rules or to avoid using the massively popular app entirely.
Then, it can be called a "final warning."
The earlier version of the Privacy
Policy began with the following lines: 'Respect for your privacy is coded in
our DNA. Since we started WhatsApp, we've been working to develop our
Applications with a collection of strict privacy standards in mind." These
lines are no longer part of the current privacy guidelines, but WhatsApp will
continue to be encrypted as we know it. In other words, the app still can't see
the texts or share them with others. However, a recent policy change indicates
a growing correlation with Facebook. This is a good thing... And this is about
it.
Why it raises concerns?
After that, the true concern
starts right here. So what's the concern in it anyway?
WhatsApp's current privacy policy
notes that when users sign up for "third-party services or other Facebook
Company Products integrated with our Services, those third-party services may
be provided with information about what you or others share with them."
In other words—also according to
WhatsApp—when you, as a user, sign up for this service, details such as an IP
address can be sent to the third party in question or another product owned by
Facebook. So, technically, little has changed... except that WhatsApp has now
decided to more expand on what "data sharing" means.
But what you and me need to think
about right now is if more users can have greater access to your info. Know how
to backup your chats with Google Drive or iCloud? These services are to get
access to the messages.
Many people don't read the terms
and conditions in full until we approve them. Still, WhatsApp explained in
great depth how they operate for Facebook and its group of corporations,
including the kind of exchanged information.
This provides information on
encryption and security related to Facebook products, and service interactions
such as user suggestions, customized content related to sales and transactions.
A clear example of
WhatsApp-Facebook convergence is using Facebook Pay on WhatsApp, which is only
available in the US.
What users understand, according
to WhatsApp, is that it also gathers new information from your smartphone,
including battery level, signal power, app edition, browser information, cell
network, communication information (including phone number, mobile operator or
ISP), language and time zone, IP address, device operations information and
identifiers.
So now you want to remove your
WhatsApp? Read this first
The updated Privacy Policy also
emphasizes that if anyone only deletes the WhatsApp app from their smartphone
without using the in-app option to delete my account, the user's details will
still be saved on the website. So just removing the app from your computer is
not going to be enough, so that you know.
So, what did you intend to do with
your WhatsApp app on your phone? Share with us.
To find What's App new update full details, check here.
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