May 11, 2021
In a recent support article spotted by Bleeping Computer, Whatsapp stated that it plans to slowly limit the functionality and scope of access users have until they accept the new privacy policy that allows WhatsApp to share information and user data with its parent company, Facebook.
However, Whatsapp says it won’t immediately disable accounts that don’t want to share their information with Facebook. The new policies are expected to take effect on May 15th, and WhatsApp will begin sending users persistent notifications to accept its updated privacy policies.
In the first phase, users who do not accept the new privacy policy will lose access to their chats, and the app will only allow them to call someone if they contact them first and tap on the notification from WhatsApp.
After a few weeks, the second stage is activated. At this point, the app will stop sending messages and calls to user phones. While the process will be different at this stage for users who do not accept the new policies, they will be left with limited options, such as exporting the chat history and deleting the account.
A separate policy, however, allows WhatsApp to automatically delete accounts after 120 days of inactivity.
For more information, read the original story in Engadget.
