WhatsApp, a messaging and voice-over-IP service, has recently announced plans to not limit the account functionality for users who have not accepted the new updated privacy policy.
The mobile application had unveiled its new terms and policy on May 15th, 2021, and recently cited that users will not be able to access their accounts or lose their functionality until the accounts are finally disabled. The service, however, did not reveal any timeline regarding the acceptance of the privacy policy by its users.
WhatsApp’s spokesperson has reportedly stated that the change in stance is in line with the recent discussions held with multiple privacy experts and authorities. The statement further added that this announcement to withdraw the idea of limiting the app functionality will indefinitely be its plan moving forward.
The social networking service has been facing heavy criticism after the introduction of the updated privacy policy. Moreover, it has been raising high concerns among the users whether the policy will lead to sharing more of their personal data with Facebook, including chats. In response to this, the service had revealed that only the messages sent to WhatsApp Business accounts are expected to be stored on the servers of Facebook, while the private messages would remain as end-to-end encrypted.
Following the announcement of the privacy policy, there has been a massive shift of users from WhatsApp to other private messaging platforms such as Signal and Telegram. The majority of the users, however, have accepted its controversial privacy policy. The social networking company has reportedly stated that the app will continue to occasionally remind its users to accept the update, including the time they choose to adopt the relevant optional features to communicate with a business that receives support from Facebook, among others. The platform further added that the latest approach is likely to reinforce the users’ choice to interact with the business.
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