As scheduled, WhatsApp will release its controversial privacy update on May 15. But a few days ahead of the launch, the company is implying that it will not strictly enforce the policy on users. TNW reports that WhatsApp will not deactivate accounts that do not accept the upcoming privacy policy, as it threatened to do so.
In January 2021, WhatsApp notified users of the new privacy terms. Under the new policy, the messaging app would give Facebook (its parent company) complete access to users’ data including their names, phone numbers, location, and other details.
Although the messaging app has been using the same privacy policy since 2016, it did not force users to opt-in sharing. For the new update, the company said that it would deactivate the accounts that will not accept the terms and will only re-activate them upon accepting the terms. That meant users would have no other choice than to comply with the new policy. And that did not settle well with the users. Because of global backlash and the loss of tons of users, WhatsApp delayed the February 8 release date to May 15.
Over fear of losing users, WhatsApp backtracks on strict implementation of its new privacy policy
The competing messaging app, Telegram gained 25 million new users amid the WhatsApp privacy policy controversy and to avoid losing a surge of users, the company is now taking a softer approach.
As reported, the company will send regular reminders to users who will decline its new privacy terms instead of deleting their account and restricting the use of core features. WhatsApp said in a statement that:
While the majority of users who have received the new terms of service have accepted them, we appreciate some people haven’t had the chance to do so yet.
No accounts will be deleted on May 15 because of this update and no one will lose the functionality of WhatsApp either. We will follow up with reminders to people over the next several weeks.
The company explained that the new update will enable it to improve its services and show targeted ads. But there is a general mistrust with letting Facebook handle users’ private data. Therefore, it is a good decision by WhatsApp to listen to users’ feedback and revise its policy.
