This is not the first time when an instant messaging app has updated its terms and policies. In fact, all the companies keep updating their terms and conditions along with time. It’s not just WhatsApp but all the companies work on their own specified terms and conditions that are already mentioned on their website. And it’s always recommended to use their services only if you agree with their terms and conditions.
But, what’s so strange about 2021’s new WhatsApp terms and policies is that it’s creating so much noise. Different people, news agencies, blogs, and magazines are giving different opinions about this new WhatsApp term and privacy policy update.
Here’s my take on the same issue. In this article, I’m going to clear whether people should stop using WhatsApp due to the new Policy update? Here’s what I decided.
Why There’s So Much Noise For WhatsApp New Terms & Policy Update?
As we all know this is not the first time a company updated its terms and policies but why this update is creating so much noise is the big question. Actually, there are many reasons for the noise behind this new WhatsApp terms and policy update. Let me explain in detail:
- Major Update. WhatsApp is introducing these new terms and policy updates as a major update and asking all its users to agree with the terms to continue using the application.
- Confusion. Just because people don’t spend their precious time reading such terms and policy updates themselves, most people are getting confused about these new terms and policy updates introduced by WhatsApp. However, WhatsApp right now extended the deadline to agree with terms till 15th May just because of the confusion among the users.
- Rumors. As soon as WhatsApp introduced these policy updates and asked its users to agree with them in order to continue using WhatsApp, many rumors started spreading across social media. According to most rumors, WhatsApp will start sharing users’ personal information, chats, and other data with Facebook and third-party companies.
What Actually These New Terms & Policy Are About?
The new terms and policies are not actually about sharing users’ personal information with other third-party companies or Facebook but establishing better communication with businesses and making it easier for WhatsApp business users to connect with Facebook apps and products.
According to the Key Updates of this new terms and privacy policy of WhatsApp, I don’t think that WhatsApp is going to share any of your private messages, chats, or any other information with third party companies.
This update in WhatsApp’s terms and privacy policy is all about some additional information on how they handle your data and other details about how this update will help establish better business communications and connections with Facebook apps and products that you can read in detail on the official privacy policy page of WhatsApp.
Should I Stop Using WhatsApp Now? Here’s What I Decided
Absolutely not. In fact, in my case, I’m not going to stop using WhatsApp because I don’t find anything unacceptable in the updated terms and conditions. I decided to continue using WhatsApp and that’s why already agreed with the new terms and policies by tapping “Agree” on the notification popup received in my WhatsApp.
After so much confusion and rumors, WhatsApp even tweeted recently to make it clear that they will continue to protect users’ private messages with end-to-end encryption.
We want to address some rumors and be 100% clear we continue to protect your private messages with end-to-end encryption. pic.twitter.com/6qDnzQ98MP
— WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) January 12, 2021
WhatsApp even rolled out some WhatsApp stories for all its users to make it clear that WhatsApp is committed to your privacy, WhatsApp can’t read or listen to your personal conversations as they’re end-to-end encrypted, can’t see your shared location, doesn’t share your contacts with Facebook.
I think this is enough to make it clear in mind that there’s no privacy or personal security danger in continue using WhatsApp. But, still, if you feel that WhatsApp is no longer safe or private for your use, you are all free to stop using the application. Even the Delhi High Court in India to a petitioner said, “It’s a private app. If you don’t agree with the terms, you should not use it.”
Must Read: WhatsApp Policy Update; Here’s What You Need To Know
