Is the WhatsApp Privacy Policy Update Part of a Big Evil Plan?

WhatsApp's users never thought that the new privacy policy would be evil. After all, the messenger service has been a part of our lives for a good while now. At the start of 2021, WhatsApp came out with its new privacy policy for the users. The company is forcing every single user to accept these privacy policies. The updates privacy policies were supposed to roll out on 8 February 2021. However, there was a lot of backlash. A number of people started showing their lack of trust in the company and the app. The user-base also started making a conscious effort of moving to Telegram or Signal.

A survey showed that the new privacy policy is making the users vary of the app and its services. Adding to that, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology(MeitY) had written to the WhatsApp CEO stating that the new WhatsApp policy changes are "not fair and unacceptable". As a result of this backlash, the company a.k.a. Facebook had to take a few steps back. This did not mean the withdrawal of the policies but delaying them till May 15, 2021.

Now May 15 is around the corner so, Will Your WhatsApp Account be Deleted, or Will You be Forced to Accept the Policies?

The New Plan

The company has scrapped the May 15 deadline completely. In an interview with Android Central, WhatsApp Spokesperson said that no accounts will be deleted and the users will keep receiving reminders about the new policy update. The interview also highlighted that users won't lose out on any features either. For the end user, the experience will remain the same and nothing will be changed.

However, there is a twist.

The FAQ page on WhatsApp makes it evidently clear that the company has a whole plan set-up to make the users accept the policies. Firstly, WhatsApp will start gradually reminding you of the privacy policy. If you do not accept it, you will get a persistent reminder to do so.

Secondly, if you still choose not to accept it, WhatsApp will start limiting the functionality on your account. You will be able to audio and video calls and will be able to respond to messages from the notification centre only. Users will not be able to access the active chat list in the app, keeping you from accessing individual and group chats.

Thirdly, after a few days of this limited functionality if users still don't accept this policy it will become a useless app on your phone. The functionality of receiving calls and notifications on your phone will stop completely. Leaving the app with no real use.

To cut it short, the plan to slowly push and gradually push you out of the app.

Is WhatsApp Rolling Back the Privacy Policies?

The short and simple answer to that is "NO". One needs to accept them to continue using the app.

Can Users Change Their Decision?

Once the policy has been accepted by the user, there is no chance of disagreeing to it. You can not roll back your decision.

Switch to A Secure Messenger

The majority of WhatsApp users only have 2 options. The first is to accept the privacy policies and keep using WhatsApp. The second choice is to not accept the privacy policy and switch to a secure messenger service like Telegram or Signal.  The switch might be tough as most people are still using WhatsApp but its now or never. Not to forget, its Facebook and the privacy issues are only going to get worse. Switch to a different messenger, export your groups and chats as soon as possible.