The updated WhatsApp privacy policy went into effect yesterday, allowing the messenger to share user data with other Facebook services. Users who refuse to follow the new rules would have their key functions disabled by the messenger
Outgoing calls and messages from users who have not verified their agreement with the new policy will be blocked beginning May 15, according to available data. They will, however, be able to receive and respond to messages. Later, the service will completely disable the ability to send and receive messages, as well as the ability to make phone calls. The restrictions will be implemented gradually over several weeks, according to the developers
CALLS AND MESSAGES FROM USERS That DO NOT AGREE WITH THE NEW POLICY WILL BE BLOCKED BY WHATSAPP
We've been displaying a message in WhatsApp for the last few weeks providing more detail about the update,” the company said in a statement. “After giving everyone enough time to review, we're reminding those who haven't yet done so to review and agree. The reminders people get will gradually become persistent after a few weeks
As a note, WhatsApp declared its intention to update its privacy policy in January of this year. According to the new rules, Facebook Messenger users' data can be shared with all of the company's services. This announcement was met with negative customer feedback, prompting the service to delay the new rules' implementation date until May 15. The developers hoped that in a few months, they would be able to persuade WhatsApp users to accept the changes
In a statement to WIRED, a spokesperson said, We've spent the last few months communicating directly with users about our update." “The majority of people have already accepted the update; for those who haven't, we won't be deleting their accounts on May 15, and we'll give them plenty of chances to do so in the future. We all know that WhatsApp is a lifeline for a lot of people all over the world.” The spokesperson told WIRED, "Users are relying on WhatsApp more than ever right now, and we want to keep it that way
Separately, Facebook's WhatsApp messenger can soon add a new option to its disappearing messages feature. The developers are now testing the ability to remove messages within 24 hours of release, according to the Twitter account WABetaInfo, which publishes news related to the messenger's work and new features
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