WhatsApp clarifies: Nothing changes for personal messages, but not same for business chats

A new WhatsApp blog post on Tuesday has reiterated that it doesn’t share private messages or sensitive location data with Facebook but clarified that some of the business conversations hosted with the social network might be readable and used for advertising.

WhatsApp is facing a trust crisis after it issued an update to its privacy policy, which explains further on data sharing with Facebook, and how data is used when a customer interacts with a business on the platform.

In the new FAQs post, the company said, “With some of the rumors going around, we want to answer some of the common questions we have received. We go to great lengths to build WhatsApp in a way that helps people communicate privately.” The post adds that the policy “does not affect the privacy of your messages with friends or family in any way.”

It adds that the update “provides further transparency about how we collect and use data.” The detailed blog post answers questions around messages, location data, call logs, groups, etc adding that none of this data is collected nor is it shared with Facebook.

But while “messages with friends or family” will not be affected by the change in policy, the same will not be the case with business messaging. The post underlines that “messaging with businesses is different than messaging with your family or friends” and some “large businesses need to use hosting services to manage their communication”.

The post says this is why it is “giving businesses the option to use secure hosting services from Facebook to manage WhatsApp chats with their customers, answer questions, and send helpful information like purchase receipts”. It further elaborates: “But whether you communicate with a business by phone, email, or WhatsApp, it can see what you’re saying and may use that information for its own marketing purposes, which may include advertising on Facebook.”

However, WhatsApp says it will “clearly label conversations with businesses that are choosing to use hosting services from Facebook”

• Logs of who everyone is messaging or calling: WhatsApp says “we believe that keeping these records for two billion users would be both a privacy and security risk and we don’t do it.”

• Shared location data: WhatsApp makes it clear it does see your shared location data and neither can Facebook. The post adds, “When you share your location with someone on WhatsApp, your location is protected by end-to-end encryption, which means no one can see your location except the people you share it with.”

• On Sharing contacts with Facebook: WhatsApp says it does not share a user’s contacts with Facebook or other apps that Facebook offers.

• Group privacy: It says that “group membership” is used “to deliver messages and to protect our service from spam and abuse.” The data is not shared with Facebook for ad purposes. Further, the chats on groups are also end-to-end encrypted.

• Disappearing messages: WhatsApp is also reminding users that for additional privacy they can go with disappearing messages, which will be deleted from the chat after you send them. Users have to individually turn on the feature in each person and group chat. The messages disappear after seven days.

• Downloading data: Users who are worried about data WhatsApp is collecting can download this from the app. Go straight to Settings>Account> Request Account Info and hit on request report. The report is generated in three days.

WhatsApp is one of the most popular instant messaging apps in the world, and it has evolved from a simple texting platform to a feature-rich application. One of the latest additions to WhatsApp's suite of tools is WhatsApp Web, a browser-based version of the app that allows users to access their chats and send messages from their computer.

In this article, we'll explore everything you need to know about WhatsApp Web, including how to use it, its features, and its benefits.

What is WhatsApp Web?

WhatsApp Web is a browser-based version of WhatsApp that allows users to access their chats and send messages from their computer. It was first introduced in 2015, and it has since become a popular feature among WhatsApp users. With WhatsApp Web, you can stay connected with your friends and family even when you're not using your phone.

How to Use WhatsApp Web

Using WhatsApp Web is easy. Here's how to get started:

Step 1: Open your web browser and go to web.whatsapp.com.

Step 2: Open the WhatsApp app on your phone.

Step 3: Tap the three-dot menu icon on the top right corner of your screen and select "WhatsApp Web" from the dropdown menu.

Step 4: Use your phone to scan the QR code displayed on your computer screen.

Step 5: Once the QR code is scanned, your WhatsApp chats will appear on your computer screen, and you can start sending messages.

Features of WhatsApp Web

WhatsApp Web has many of the same features as the mobile app. Here are some of the most notable features:

1. Sending and receiving messages: You can send and receive text messages, voice messages, images, and videos on WhatsApp Web.

2. Voice and video calls: WhatsApp Web also supports voice and video calls, allowing you to stay connected with your friends and family even when you're not using your phone.

3. Emoji and GIFs: WhatsApp Web has a vast collection of emojis and GIFs that you can use to express yourself.

4. Status updates: You can view and update your status on WhatsApp Web, just like you would on the mobile app.

5. Notifications: WhatsApp Web sends notifications to your browser when you receive new messages or calls.

Benefits of Using WhatsApp Web

Here are some of the benefits of using WhatsApp Web:

1. Increased productivity: With WhatsApp Web, you can stay connected with your friends and family without having to switch between your phone and your computer, increasing your productivity.

2. Larger screen: If you find it challenging to type on your phone, WhatsApp Web allows you to use your computer's keyboard for faster and more comfortable typing.

3. Multi-tasking: With WhatsApp Web, you can use WhatsApp while working on your computer, allowing you to multitask efficiently.

4. Backup: With WhatsApp Web, you can back up your chats to your computer, ensuring that you never lose your important conversations.

5. Privacy: WhatsApp Web uses end-to-end encryption to secure your messages, ensuring that your conversations remain private and secure.

Conclusion

WhatsApp Web is a fantastic tool for anyone looking to stay connected with their friends and family from their computer. With its easy-to-use interface, vast collection of features, and increased productivity, WhatsApp Web is an excellent addition to the WhatsApp suite of tools. Whether you're working on your computer or just prefer typing on a larger screen, WhatsApp Web is a must-try for all WhatsApp users.

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