- WhatsApp is asking users to sign in to their new privacy policy again by May 15th.
- Users who miss the deadline will not be able to send SMS or make calls, via email viewed by TechCrunch.
- WhatsApp tried to get users to sign up for the new policy in January, but caused a privacy scare.
- Visit the Insider Business Department for more stories.
WhatsApp is once again trying to get its users to sign its new privacy policy, this time without causing any privacy concerns.
WhatsApp announced on Thursday that it would slowly ask users to give permission for its new privacy policy, which caused a privacy scare in January and sent users to rival messaging programs Signal and Telegram.
Users have until May 15 to sign off on the new privacy policy. TechCrunch reports that if they miss it, some core parts of the WhatsApp app will become unusable.
In an email to TechCrunch, one of its business partners, WhatsApp said if users do not agree to the new terms and conditions on May 15: ‘For a short time, these users can receive calls and notifications but can not receive messages from do not read or send the app. ”
WhatsApp confirmed that this was the case, and sent Insider to a question page outlining the process.
According to TechCrunch, this “short time” will last a few weeks. It is not entirely clear what will happen to the users after this time expires, but the FAQ page says that WhatsApp’s inactive users’ policy will apply after May 15th.
WhatsApp’s policy on inactive accounts is that it ‘is usually removed after 120 days of inactivity’.
This time, WhatsApp is taking a softer approach to asking users to sign out of its new policy, which essentially only affects the data sent to business accounts.
The messaging app will explain the update via an in-app banner, which will lead users to a full breakdown of the changes. This is in contrast to January’s pop-up notification, which apparently gives users an ultimatum to comply with the new policy or to lose access to the app.
The original deadline was February 8, but it was extended to May 15, following a setback for users.