WhatsApp will no longer restrict the accounts of users who do not accept the updated privacy policy. The iOS app, which is owned by Facebook, has now confirmed this.
Since February, WhatsApp has been asking its users to accept the new privacy policy, which came into effect on May 15. Users who did not accept the changes were told that they “will not have the full functionality of WhatsApp” until they accept them. But now the company appears to be rowing back. In a Explanation To The Verge, a WhatsApp spokesperson mentioned that after discussions with authorities and privacy experts, the company has decided not to restrict the app's functionality for people who do not accept the new privacy policy.
In light of recent discussions with various authorities and privacy experts, we would like to clarify that we will not limit the functionality of WhatsApp for those who have not yet accepted the update.
WhatsApp: “Majority of users have agreed to the new privacy policy”
How long this will be the case is not known. WhatsApp's new privacy policy came into effect on May 15. Previously, the company had stated that those who did not agree to the new terms would lose access to some WhatsApp features, such as the ability to access the chat list or audio and video calls. This announcement not only angered some users but also raised concerns from governments around the world. WhatsApp has now support article about the privacy updates and confirmed that "no one will have their accounts deleted or lose features." The company also claims that the majority of users have agreed to the new privacy policy - whether this is true cannot, of course, be verified. (Photo by hodim / Bigstockphoto)
