Relief for WhatsApp users as privacy policy deadline scrapped

Facebook-owned messaging app which was set to enforce its new data-sharing policy on May 15 — following a delay in response to a user criticism revealed on its website that it would not immediately cut off users who don’t accept the new terms which is a complete U-turn from its stance before.

However, it would send reminders to those who don’t opt in.

A WhatsApp spokesperson said that no accounts will be deleted on May 15 for not accepting the policy update.

The official further added, "We’ve spent the last few months working to clear up confusion and misinformation. As a reminder this update does not impact the privacy of personal messages for anyone,” adding that, their goal is to provide information about new options they are building that people will have, to message a business on WhatsApp.

"While the majority of users who have received the new terms of service have accepted them, we appreciate some people haven’t had the chance to do so yet,” stated spokesperson.

WhatsApp had faced severe backlash over user concerns that data was being shared with Facebook.

According to a tweet from the Press Trust of India, WhatsApp has scrapped the May 15 deadline for accepting its privacy policy.

Which means, no accounts will be deleted on May 15 because of this update and no one in India will lose functionality of WhatsApp either.

WhatsApp scraps May 15 deadline for accepting privacy policy, says no accounts will be deleted if terms not accepted by users

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 7, 2021

The decision came after WhatsApp faced severe criticism and also saw its users to gradually shifting to other similar platforms like Telegram. However, the company did not clarify the reason behind the decision and did not reveal the number of users who have accepted the terms.  

As per new policy, the messaging app had made it compulsory for its users to share data with its parent company Facebook.

Earlier In January, WhatsApp informed its users about the changes in its terms of service and public policy through an in-app notification and users were initially given time till February 8 to agree to the new terms.