May 31, 2021, 7:03 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
WhatsApp threatened users with restrictions if they did not agree to the new terms and conditions by May 15. The deadline has now passed–and yet nothing has happened so far.
On May 15, new terms of use and privacy policies came into effect on WhatsApp. As TECHBOOK has already reported, the company is notifying users of the new terms via a pop-up and a banner in the app. Originally, the terms were supposed to take effect in early February. However, due to ambiguous wording that led to a massive user shift to other messengers, WhatsApp postponed the changes several times.
No Loss of Functionality if You Don’t Accept WhatsApp’s Terms
Previously, users who did not agree to the new terms were supposed to have limited access to messenger functions starting May 15. However, WhatsApp has backed away from this position and is allowing more time for consideration. Even after May 15, the messenger remains fully usable.
The company has accordingly changed its support page. It now states: “No accounts will be deleted, nor will WhatsApp functionality be restricted due to the update on May 15.”
Originally, users were supposed to receive a “persistent reminder” several weeks after the deadline if they did not accept the new WhatsApp terms. Once this appeared on the smartphone, messenger functions were to be restricted. WhatsApp listed the following restrictions on the support page:
- You can no longer access the chat list, but can only accept calls and video calls. Only if notifications for WhatsApp are enabled can you click on them to reply to a message or call back.
- A few weeks after the persistent reminder first appeared, WhatsApp will no longer show incoming calls and messages as notifications. This effectively renders the messenger unusable, as you can no longer respond to messages or calls.
The entire paragraph describing the restrictions on functionality has now disappeared from the support page. Instead, there is a note that supposedly “the majority of users who have seen the update have accepted it.” It seems that enough users are accepting the WhatsApp terms, so the company sees no reason to force the rest to agree. Nevertheless, notifications continue to appear in the app, pointing out the changes. However, a persistent reminder, as WhatsApp had planned, will not be implemented.
How Deleted WhatsApp Messages Become Visible Again
This Feature is Now Disappearing From Whatsapp
WhatsApp Continues to Urge Acceptance of the New Terms
Through the reminder in the app, users are directed to a two-page information overview. It explains what changes are coming–and what are not. Generally, nothing changes in chats between regular users. Messages remain end-to-end encrypted, meaning WhatsApp and Facebook cannot read the content.
What changes is the communication between private users and businesses. WhatsApp has long offered a platform with WhatsApp Business to directly contact customers, such as to inform them about the status of a delivery or changes to a flight schedule. However, under the new privacy policies, these communications are not encrypted. The content can thus be analyzed with Facebook tools for advertising purposes. Communication with businesses is clearly marked as such and is completely optional.
What Happens if You Permanently Do Not Want to Accept WhatsApp’s Terms?
According to the support page, no restriction of functions will occur in the future either. Regardless, rules for inactive accounts still apply. In this case, the company’s deletion policy, which is also outlined in the FAQ, takes effect. Inactive accounts are subject to deletion after 120 days. After that, WhatsApp data remains stored on the smartphone, but you no longer have access to it–unless you log in again and agree to the terms of use.