WhatsApp privacy policy: Users who don’t accept can’t read or send messages




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When WhatsApp’s new privacy policy takes effect on May 15, users who don’t accept should prepare for big changes.

A support page on the WhatsApp website notes those users will be considered inactive. The users won’t be able to send or receive messages through the app, but can get calls and notifications for a short time.

The page also includes steps to download your chat history and delete your account on various platforms.

WhatsApp faced backlash from users of the popular messaging app after it introduced its privacy policy update earlier this year. WhatsApp responded by delaying the new policy, which had originally been scheduled to start Feb. 8.

A post from January by WhatsApp cited confusion and “misinformation” on updates as a reason for the delay, saying the changes were connected to how users can message a business using WhatsApp.

“While not everyone shops with a business on WhatsApp today, we think that more people will choose to do so in the future and it’s important people are aware of these services,” reads the January post. “This update does not expand our ability to share data with Facebook.”

At the same time the backlash swelled, more users shifted to apps like Signal and Telegram for added security.