Privacy policy of WhatsApp explained: Everything you need to know if you still have questions

WhatsApp had rolled out a new privacy policy that needed its users to agree to. As per the new rules, the data is affected only so long as the interactions take place with a business account on the platform. In addition, the policy has also informed about other necessary details regarding its integration with its parent company, Facebook.

In order to put a rest to all the rumours regarding the privacy policy and if it leads to a breach of data of any kind, WhatsApp has published an elaborate FAQ. WhatsApp head Will Cathcart shared the policy updates on his Twitter as a blog post highlighting how private communications are in no way affected. While ensuring that, it also further asserts that neither does WhatsApp keep a log of the calls and messages and nor does it share contacts with Facebook.

While Facebook will not automatically use messages to inform the ads that a user sees, as is always the case, businesses will be able to use chats they receive for their own marketing purposes, which may include advertising on Facebook.

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Further, the blog clarifies that Facebook may have access to the conversations that users have with businesses on the app and that is what the primary change in the policy is about. One of the blogs, however, mentioned, “While Facebook will not automatically use messages to inform the ads that a user sees, as is always the case, businesses will be able to use chats they receive for their own marketing purposes, which may include advertising on Facebook.”

Here are some of the privacy features that WhatsApp highlights with its FAQ blog:

- Private messages or calls are encrypted and neither can WhatsApp nor Facebook see/hear them

- No logs of calls and messages are kept

- Contacts are not shared with Facebook

- Neither WhatsApp nor Facebook can see the user's shared location

- Groups will continue to be private

- Users can make use of the disappearing messages feature

- Users can download their data

Hence, one can conclude that while it is necessary to accept the new policy in order to continue using the app, no private communication is affected. However, if one may want to avoid any data being used by the company, one can limit their communications to friends and family only.