In some parts of the world – excluding Europe – WhatsApp will share some information with Facebook, such as phone numbers, names, IP addresses, hardware details about your phone and any financial transaction data made through the app. Messages and calls made through WhatsApp will still be protected with end-to-end encryption but the plans have raised eyebrows over how much data is collected and used to do all of this, and what data access third-party businesses will have as well. This would be key to turning the app and its 2bn users into a serious revenue generator. It is part of a wider aim by Facebook to turn WhatsApp into a super-app of sorts, à la WeChat in China, where users do more than just messaging. The changes allow businesses to upload their information and product catalogues to WhatsApp, meaning users can interact with a business without ever leaving the app. Earlier this year, WhatsApp was forced to postpone the update after a backlash from users. The updates to the policy have drawn much criticism. This will include curtailing the ability to receive messages or make calls. WhatsApp said it will not delete anyone’s account but users that do not accept the terms will have restricted functionality after 15 May.
“At that time, you’ll encounter limited functionality on WhatsApp until you accept the updates,” explains the WhatsApp FAQ. The Facebook-owned app is pushing ahead with updating its user policy tomorrow (15 May) and will present users with “persistent” pop-up messages, urging them to accept. Once again WhatsApp is in the hot seat over updates to its terms of service.
The Facebook-owned app will limit some functions and push messages on users to accept updates to its terms of service.
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