New WhatsApp privacy policy: Explained [B.31]

Hello everyone, 

Usually, I write blogs on socio-political issues but this blog is a little out of the box. Recently WhatsApp introduced a new privacy policy for all its users and this created a lot of stir in the market and among common users like us. As a result, many people have decided to use an alternative messenger application. So without any further delay, let's get started.

Whenever any user has installed the previous versions of WhatsApp, the privacy policy used to include this statement:-

"Respect for your privacy is coded into our DNA. Since we started WhatsApp, we have aspired to build our services with a set of strong privacy principles in mind."

This is a mark of security that your data is secure and kept safe, but the new privacy policy does not include this statement, this is the first reason which is the cause of confusion across the globe.  Removal of this statement does not mean that data will now be shared with someone, in fact, the end-to-end encryption of your chats will still be insured that means, no one can access your private information.  So what does this new privacy policy state? 

As we all know, WhatsApp is now owned by Facebook, so according to the new privacy policy, your data will be shared with the third-party products of Facebook for a better user experience. Now a question arises: what does a third-party product mean?

Let us break it down into simple terms, working on any other app with WhatsApp is known as the use of a third-party app. For example, YouTube, you might have noticed that whenever you receive a link to a YouTube video, you can browse through it in a mini tab amidst using WhatsApp. 

While going through the new policy, one more concern is whether our data will be shared outside India or not? According to the policy, the data will be shared outside India i.e., the USA.

This is not the first time that our data is being shared with third-party apps, the only difference is that it was not included in the policy to date but now they have mentioned it clearly. 

For example, whenever we made a backup of our WhatsApp data, if you are an android user it was being saved in the google account or in your iCloud storage for an iPhone user. So anyway the data was being shared, but now they have made it clear that the data will be shared with third-party apps.

The new policy comes into force by February 8 and if you do not accept the terms and conditions, you will have to delete your account from WhatsApp. Many users have received the notice and others will eventually get it before February 8. This was my interpretation about the new WhatsApp policy, there might be something wrong because many sources like news channels, YouTubers are providing different information on the same but more or less, the same meaning is being conveyed by everyone. 

I do not write blogs on such topics as this is not my niche but I wanted my readers to get information on this topic as WhatsApp has become an integral part of our lives and it is important to be updated with any change that takes place as it involves a large part of our data. I will write blogs on such topics whenever I feel it is required. If you like this blog then do like, share, subscribe and stay in touch for upcoming blogs on various socio-political issues.

JAI HIND!