- WhatsApp is again asking users to sign off for its new privacy policy before May 15.
- Users who miss the deadline will not be able to text or call, by email viewed by TechCrunch.
- WhatsApp tried to get users to shut down the new policy in January, but caused a privacy scare.
- Visit Insider’s Business section for more stories.
WhatsApp again tries to get its users to sign its new privacy policy, this time without causing any privacy scares.
WhatsApp announced on Thursday that it would slowly ask users to agree to its new privacy policy, which sparked a privacy scare in January and sent users en masse to rival messaging apps Signal and Telegram.
Users have until May 15 to unsubscribe from the new privacy policy. TechCrunch reported that if they miss it, some core parts of the WhatsApp app will become unusable.
In an email to one of its business partners, obtained by TechCrunch, WhatsApp said that if users do not agree to the new terms and conditions for May 15, “These users can receive calls and notifications for a short time, but cannot read or send messages from the app. ”
WhatsApp confirmed this was the case and sent Insider to an FAQ page about the process.
According to TechCrunch, this “short period of time” will last a few weeks. It’s not entirely clear what will happen to users after this time has passed, but the FAQ page states that WhatsApp’s “inactive users” policy will apply after May 15th.
WhatsApp’s policy on inactive accounts is that they are “typically deleted after 120 days of inactivity.”
This time, WhatsApp is taking a softer approach to asking users to opt out of the new policy, which essentially only affects the details of messages sent to corporate accounts.
The messaging app explains the update via an in-app banner, which directs users to a full explanation of the changes. This is in contrast to the January popup notification, which seemed to provide users with an ultimatum to either comply with the new policy or lose access to the app.
The original deadline was February 8, but it was extended to May 15 following user backlash.