Is WhatsApp Safe? WhatsApp Terms and Privacy Policy Update Explained.

If you are a regular user, you can see a notification as “ WhatsApp is updating its terms and privacy policy” on your mobile.

And you have to agree on it.

If you closed it through the cross button at the right corner, you will get this notification again. And after 8th February 2021, you will not able to use WhatsApp if you haven’t agreed to its terms and privacy policy.

This is a process that leads to a trend in Social Media.

What About User Data?

WhatsApp explains its privacy policy and alerting its more than 2 billion users to accept it.

WhatsApp users will no longer have the option of opting out of sharing information with Facebook Inc.

According to Bloombergquint.com, the information WhatsApp will share with Facebook companies includes:

Account registration information (such as phone numbers).

Service-related information.

Transaction data, if users use WhatsApp Pay or purchase products through it.

Information on how you interact with others (including businesses) when using WhatsApp.

Mobile device information.

IP address.

Other ‘Information We Collect’ or obtained “upon notice to you or based on your consent,’

Why WhatsApp is collecting User's Data ?

Since we all know WhatsApp updated its terms and privacy policy and we have to agree to use it.

But Why is it so?

According to WhatsApp, they are collecting necessary user information to operate, provide, improve, understand, customize, support, and market our Services, including when you install, access, or use our Services.

There is some information that is completely crucial for WhatsApp. Other than that, it’s user choice on how you use the WhatsApp service.

The necessary data are the user’s mobile number, usage, log information, device, connection information, cookies, etc.

1. User Account Information: The user should provide a mobile number to create a WhatsApp account. If the user doesn’t provide a mobile number, a WhatsApp account can’t be created.

2. User Messages: Yes, WhatsApp messages are end-to-end encrypted. Encryption means to change it in a format that is not possible to understand. This concept relies on Authentication and Security. Even the WhatsApp team can’t read it. And Undelivered messages are present for 30 days in encrypted form and after that WhatsApp team deletes them.

Similarly, Usage and Log Information, as well as Cookies, are necessary for users' benefits.

Other than that it’s user choice to allow other data or not. Like Location information, transactions, and payment details, etc.

1. Location information: Yes, WhatsApp collects location information from User's devices only if Users accept it or provide permission for that.

2. Transactions And Payments Data: If a WhatsApp user uses payment services from WhatsApp then it is mandatory to share it with WhatsApp. Payment information and transaction needed to complete the transaction.

Is the Policy the same Globally? No.

There is a bit of partiality between Europe compared with the rest of the world. The policy is different from Europe compared with the rest of the world.

Why is it so?

This is because European Data Protection Authorities for European privacy made a strict rule to fine companies as much as 4% of global annual revenue if they breach the European data.

Similar to it, In 2014, Facebook Fined $122 Million for Misleading the EU Over WhatsApp.

Clarification from WhatsApp.

WhatsApp is updating its terms and privacy policy from 8th February 2021. Due to which various misconceptions about WhatsApp are trending right now on Social Media.

1. Is WhatsApp will provide your data to Facebook or other third-party software?

2. Is your data safe?

3. Do you have to install an alternative like Telegram or Signal?

4. Is WhatsApp or Facebook can see your private messages?

5. Is WhatsApp will share your contacts with Facebook?

And tons of other questions are jumping into your mind.

After updating the privacy policy, WhatsApp received many questions. So WhatsApp updated a FAQ for its user.

Here simply WhatsApp clarifies that

1. WhatsApp cannot see your private messages or hear your calls, and neither can Facebook.

2. Whatsapp does not share your contacts with Facebook.

3. WhatsApp groups remain private.

4. Also, WhatsApp cannot see your shared location, neither can Facebook.

Is it safe? Absolutely.

And now WhatsApp has extended the deadline to May 15 to accept its privacy policy.

You can read more about it from the below ones.

Originally published at Medium.