Hello Everyone!
Let’s dive right into the burning question right now- What’s all the fuss about the latest WhatsApp update? For starters- WhatsApp recently just two days ago silently rolled out a privacy update for its users. Waking up- The first thing you do is to check for notifications and as you open WhatsApp boom- You guessed it right an update on WhatsApp regarding it’s updated policy. My brain still not processing the info. just took a screenshot and accepted the terms and condition. The last line was a bit of a shocker- The last date to agree to terms- 8th February 2021 else delete your account.
Updates are normal for apps to run and also to let the users know about the changes in their policies. Similar policies/agreements can be observed when you download/ install a new app, game, or any software- In the end, you have to accept to the user agreements which hardly anyone reads and downloads the stuff giving permission to the application. I like most of the users do (highly unacceptable) accepted the terms. While those who have pressed the not now option will have to allow it before 8th February 2021 in order for their WhatsApp to continue working else risk your account to be deleted.
The privacy update in itself has nothing to do much with WhatsApp but what Facebook intends to do with it. Yes, those still living under the rock- Facebook acquired WhatsApp back in 2014. Facebook tried to use the WhatsApp user database back in 2016 but it then came with an option for sharing your details as shown below.
The latest privacy update removes all this and you have to pass all the information that WhatsApp stored/s to Facebook.
If something’s free, that means you are the product.
Brian Stelter (CNN)
WhatsApp’s Updated Policy 2021
Who are to benefit?
Whatsapp Business Accounts- Yes you read it right- Business accounts in WhatsApp will be able to get access to your numbers and so get ready for an increase in Spam messages and calls from WhatsApp as well! Facebook along with its 3rd party subsidiaries will now be able to gain your personal info. and use as per their need (usually for marketing and advertising).
Also, there would be integration between- Instagram messages, Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp to seemingly transfer messages between them which would bring end-to-end encryption to Messenger and Instagram Messenger but also make WhatsApp much more vulnerable.
Are your messages secure?
Yes and No. Your end to end encryption stays for now at least but some things that you need to note- Your data will be stored in servers till there is only a single check visible and it only moves out if it gets double-checked. If you send the data and have only a single check the data is stored for 30 days in the server and is deleted only after.
Are Ads coming to WhatsApp?
For now no Ads, but seeing the privacy statement I can assure you Ads would be the next step that would be taken by Facebook that would be introduced.
Can Facebook implement such changes?
Yes, it can as India does not have strict Data Regulation Policies implemented yet. So if we want to continue using WhatsApp the only way after 8th Feb. 2021 would be to agree to its terms. Hopefully, the government can come up with some laws to prevent such hooliganism by such big companies and are able at least to pass the Data Privacy bill- For storing data locally and Transactions details of Indian people sent to RBI and not to be sent outside without their consent.
What information is going to be collected?
Everything that WhatsApp used to store would be shared with Facebook and it’s subsidiaries- Things starting with your Mobile Number, your mobile variant, your Display Picture, Status, Location to start with.
What about WhatsApp Pay?
As Whatsapp pay used to store the Payment info, Transaction details, your account details all will be now shared with Facebook.
Deleting WhatsApp…
So now after reading this you have decided to uninstall WhatsApp? So do it the right way. As directly deleting your WhatsApp will still retain your data and it will be shared with Facebook.
In order for complete removal–> Open WhatsApp –> Go to Settings–> Account –> Delete my Account.
Please note: Only your account will be deleted in which your Status, Display Picture, Phone Number and groups you were in will be deleted- The Chats you had with people in the groups would still stay as others are still using WhatsApp and your messages could be read from their phones.
Did you Know?
The Minimum age to use WhatsApp is 13 years!
You can also be banned from WhatsApp!
WhatsApp has a huge database with having over a billion users worldwide and in India, itself having a user based for around 400-450 million active users. Facebook using this strong userbase are trying to reach maximum business with this and then in future WhatsApp would be used for sales and marketing purpose by the display of Ads. An idea to build an ecosystem where ads will be shown and users can then directly buy it using WhatsApp payments! Whatsapp from being a messaging platform would be turned into an e-commerce platform in the distant future.
Are there any alternative apps to WhatsApp?
Yes there are and you have multiple choices to choose from. Here is the list of 10 alternate apps that one can use-
1- Signal
3- Line
4- Discord
5- Viber
7- BBM
8- Element
9- Threema (Paid App- 1 time on installation)
10- Wire (Paid)
Well, the decision is now in your hands- To stay on WhatsApp you need to agree to the updated privacy policies before 8th Feb 2021. If you have decided not to continue then the above list shows you the alternate apps that one can try. It’s sad but it is what it is- Nothing is for free in the modern world! We are all pawns to technology and the maximum we can do is to delay the inevitable. For more tech blogs you can click here.
So what are your thoughts about the WhatsApp privacy update? If switching- which app would you be turning to do comment below. As always, if you liked the content do give it a like. Comment below if you agree or disagree with the privacy updates and what do you think about the next app that might replace WhatsApp? Until next time! Happy Reading, Ciao
Vivek Nair
