WHATSAPP has had to delay its controversial deadline for getting users to accept new terms and conditions.
The deadline to accept a new privacy policy was originally today and would have left people who didn’t agree unable to use WhatsApp.
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However, the chatting platform has now pushed back these plans back by three months.
It means if you’re still undecided on whether you want to accept the new terms then you have until May 15 to make a decision.
A recent WhatsApp blogpost explains: “We’re now moving back the date on which people will be asked to review and accept the terms.
“No one will have their account suspended or deleted on February 8.
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“We’re also going to do a lot more to clear up the misinformation around how privacy and security works on WhatsApp.
“We’ll then go to people gradually to review the policy at their own pace before new business options are available on May 15.”
Controversy started because the new privacy policy would mean more data-sharing with parent company Facebook for WhatsApp users in certain countries.
News rules apply to all users but people outside the UK and the EU will also need to agree to the more data sharing with Facebook.
Users are just given the option to click ‘agree’ or ‘not now’.
The UK and EU pop up doesn’t mention the Facebook data sharing changes but widespread confusion has left lots of people looking for alternative apps to use.
WhatsApp has also made how it handles and collects data more transparent and new sections in its new privacy policy include ‘Transactions and Payments Data’ and how it handles ‘Location Information’.
The updated policy also suggests that you may receive marketing material about Facebook Companies.
The move could be another step towards Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram eventually integrating as one.
WhatsApp – a quick history
Here’s what you need to know…
- WhatsApp was created in 2009 by computer programmers Brian Acton and Jan Koum – former employees of Yahoo
- It’s one of the most popular messaging services in the world
- Koum came up with the name WhatsApp because it sounded like “what’s up”
- After a number of tweaks the app was released with a messaging component in June 2009, with 250,000 active users
- It was originally free but switched to a paid service to avoid growing too fast. Then in 2016, it became free again for all users
- Facebook bought WhatsApp Inc in February 2014 for $19.3billion (£14.64bn)
- The app is particularly popular because all messages are encrypted during transit, shutting out snoopers
- As of 2020, WhatsApp has over 2billion users globally
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In other news, a Twitch gamer has gone viral for the brilliant way she handled a troll asking “What color is your thong today?“.
Facebook will no longer recommend “political or civil” groups to users.
And, scam emails claiming that the recipient has been selected to receive a coronavirus vaccine have been highlighted by concerned experts.
Have you agreed to WhatsApp’s new terms? Let us know in the comments…
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This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk
