WhatsApp Changes Itself for 2021, Privacy Is Not a Focus Anymore

WhatsApp delivered shocking news to its users out of the blue. The world's most popular and used messaging app just decided that what it really needs is more information of its users. WhatsApp updated its TOS which is nothing new for a popular platform to do but what is a bit unnerving for many users is how it unilaterally decided to do it.

The new Terms of Service that the messaging platform has offered its users is going to now allow WhatsApp to share user's information with its owner Facebook. Most of the new TOS that is going to be in effect now are more on the lines of integration of WhatsApp with services that Facebook has to offer. What is troubling is the advertisement part.

New WhatsApp Terms of Service 2021:

Firstly, users will have no option to opt out of these new TOS changes on WhatsApp. If a user does opt out then they will lose their account. Users have till February 8th of 2021 to decide if they want to continue on the platform with the new changes or not. Bear in mind that all users' chats will still be end-to-end encrypted and WhatsApp will not be able to access your chats.

📝 WhatsApp beta for Android 2.21.1.3: what's new?

• Rolled out new Terms of Service for more users.
• WhatsApp is rolling out the new Linked Device Interface for some users, and multi-device functionalities will be following in a future update.https://t.co/FONG2AeRpe

— WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) January 6, 2021

With the new TOS WhatsApp will work even more closely with Facebook than it has before. Users' information that is collected under these new changes will be shared with Facebook and its products. According to WhatsApp these changes will allow it and Facebook to improving infrastructure and delivery systems. To the point that users will start getting personalized content around purchases and transactions on Facebook products. For example, if you are doing multiple interactions with Businesses that sell chairs and have business accounts on WhatsApp then users will probably see ads related to chairs across Facebook products.

WhatsApp is no more Secure 😞#WhatsappPrivacy pic.twitter.com/TAtIEQDlp7

— 𝘏𝘢𝘮𝘻𝘢 ♛🇰🇼||ᴵᶻᵃ'ˢ 🐼 (@OyeHamxi) January 7, 2021

What is however a cause of concern for many users is that now WhatsApp will collect information such as battery level, signal strength, app version, browser information, mobile network, connection information (including phone number, mobile operator or ISP), language and time zone, IP address, device operations information, and identifiers (including identifiers unique to Facebook Company Products associated with the same device or account).

WhatsApp Account Delete Policy Changes:

This one is a kicker, and you need to know about this. So when a user decides that they want to delete their account they can't just uninstall the app from their device. If they do that then all of their information that WhatsApp has will remain stored with the platform. So if you do decide that you don't want to be on the app anymore due to these changes then opt out of them first and only then once you have received confirmation from the app that your account has been deleted only then uninstall the app from your device.