Secluded
WhatsApp: Currently no result if new rules are rejected
WhatsApp emphasizes that the update does not include any extended data transfer to Facebook. Photo: Zachari Shehrer / dpa-tmn
© DPA-Infocom GmbH
About two weeks ago, WhatsApp implemented new data protection rules and threatened the loss of critical functions if users were rejected. Now Facebook daughter is retreating.
For some time, there will be no consequences if WhatsApp users do not agree with the new data protection provisions of the chat service.
A spokesperson for the Facebook company told the technology blogs “The Next Web” and “The Verge” that there are currently no plans to restrict the range of tasks for them. WhatsApp wants to clarify this after consulting officials and experts. Instead, these users will be reminded of “periodically” updates.
WhatsApp introduced new data protection rules about two weeks ago. It added that users who did not agree to the update threatened to gradually lose important functions after a few weeks with warnings. In WhatsApp questions and answers about the new provisions, it now states, “There are currently no plans to make these reminders permanent or to limit the functionality of the app.”
According to previous announcements, users should lose access to their chat list over time, as reported by WhatsApp in a blog entry. First of all, you still need to be able to accept incoming audio and video calls and use notifications to answer chat messages. A few more weeks later, WhatsApp would announce neither calls nor messages on their smartphones.
WhatsApp had always insisted that the update does not include any additional data transfer on Facebook. The changes are primarily about creating better ways of communicating with companies.
Hamburg data protection advocate Johannes Caspar stepped in anyway and as a precaution issued an order in mid-May that prohibited Facebook from processing WhatsApp data of German users. It is valid for three months as the Irish Data Protection Authority is responsible for Facebook in Europe. WhatsApp responded that the arrangement was based on a “fundamental misunderstanding of the purpose and consequences of the update”.
WhatsApp had already rejected the announcement in January that more data would be shared with the mother. However, the introduction of new provisions was postponed to May 15 for more than three months after criticism and user churn.
