Following backlash from users, many of whom have been moving to alternate messaging apps due to security concerns, WhatsApp is delaying the enforcement of its privacy terms by three months. The new data-sharing policy won"t be enforced until May 15, so people can "review the policy at their own pace before new business options are available."
Thank you to everyone who’s reached out. We"re still working to counter any confusion by communicating directly with @WhatsApp users. No one will have their account suspended or deleted on Feb 8 and we’ll be moving back our business plans until after May - https://t.co/H3DeSS0QfO
— WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) January 15, 2021
WhatsApp informed users through an in-app alert earlier this month to agree to new terms of condition, which granted the app the consent to share some personal information with Facebook. Information being shared includes the phone number and location of users.
WhatsApp has repeatedly clarified that the change won"t cause users" chats and other profile information to be shown to Facebook. Instead, the change pertains to business chats with a company"s representatives through WhatsApp.
The firm added that it "never planned to delete any accounts" based on users not agreeing to new terms of the agreement, and no such action will be taken in the future. WhatsApp recognized that there"s been "much confusion" surrounding its recent update, so it"s "going to do a lot more to clear up the misinformation around how privacy and security works on WhatsApp."