WhatsApp starts showing ToS alert to some users

The most noteworthy fact is that this in-app alert says that the new ToS will come into effect on May 15, 2021.

FILE PHOTO: The WhatsApp messaging application is seen on a phone screen August 3, 2017. REUTERS/Thomas White/File Photo (REUTERS)

WhatsApp, earlier this year, started sending in-app alerts to users informing them about the change in its Terms of Service (ToS) and its privacy policy. This change was scheduled to come into effect on February 8, 2021. However, the furore over the company's updated privacy policy across the globe forced the company to postpone this change to May 2021. Now, a new report says that the Facebook-owned messaging app has started showing in-app notifications to some users in this regard.

WABetaInfo, the blog that tracks development in WhatsApp, reports that WhatsApp has started showing in-app alerts to some users informing them about the change in its Terms of Service. The blog site also shared screenshots of the notification that users are getting. This notification informs users about the things that are changing with the new ToS. They also shed light on the things that will remain unchanged even as the new ToS kick in.

WhatsApp is starting to show the in-app alert about Terms Of Service! pic.twitter.com/YIscMBjeoq

— WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) February 19, 2021

For instance, WhatsApp says that users' personal conversations will remain end-to-end encrypted. The company said that while that will remain unchanged, it is making it easier for users to chat with businesses. WhatsApp also said that it is updating its privacy policy to inform users how businesses are using Facebook tools to interact with their customers better.

The most noteworthy fact is that this in-app alert says that the new ToS will come into effect on May 15, 2021, and that failing to accept these terms would end up in users losing access to their accounts. The blog site, in a separate report earlier this week, had mentioned a similar timeline for the company's new ToS. That said, we at HT Tech haven't received any notification on our Android or iOS devices yet. But we will update you as soon as we get an update.