WhatsApp’s new Terms of Service to come into effect on May 15

WhatsApp created a buzz earlier this year over its updated Terms of Service and privacy policy, which some users believed invaded their privacy by giving Facebook access to their WhatsApp data. The hullabaloo was so much so that WhatsApp had to delay the date when its new terms came into effect. Now, new reports have hinted towards a potential when the rules would come into effect.

As per a report by WABetaInfo, the blog that tracks developments in WhatsApp extensively, WhatsApp’s new Terms of Service will come into effect on May 15, 2021.

The blog site shared a bunch of screenshots from the app explaining the changes that the new policy will bring to the messaging platform. The blog site said that in the new WhatsApp beta for Android 2.21.4.13, WhatsApp is working to improve the communication to the users with a new informative alert.

In the screenshots shared by the blog site, the company says that it can’t read or listen to users’ personal conversations as they are end-to-end encrypted. The company is also making it easier for users to chat with businesses. The blog site noted that solution providers allow businesses to provide better service to their customers. However, chatting with businesses is optional. 

In the second screenshot, WhatsApp says that it is providing more information on how its platform works including how it processes data and how businesses manage users data using Facebook’s tools.

“The terms go into effect on May 15, 2021. Please accept these terms to continue using WhatsApp after this date,” WhatsApp wrote in the screenshot. That said, WhatsApp hasn’t made a formal announcement in this regard yet. So, all we can do for now is wait till the company makes an announcement in this regard.