Have you heard about the recent WhatsApp privacy policy update? According to an official statement issued by the messenger platform, WhatsApp will be sharing data with its parent company – Facebook – effective February 8th, 2021! đ±Â
However, in a statement exclusively released to The Verge, WhatsApp clarified that these changes to its privacy policy and âdata sharingâ will only apply to Whatsapp business accounts.
Things to know if you are using a WhatsApp business accountÂ
1. WhatsApp has access to your customer information
When you use a WhatsApp business account, you allow the app access to your
- Interactions with customers
- Transactional messages
- Receipts, booking dates, payments info etc.
WhatsApp claims it will share this information with Facebook and other Facebook-owned companies for a better business experience. WhatsApp also shares this information with several third-party apps that it works with to help bring their services to you.Â
“As part of the Facebook Companies, WhatsApp receives information from and shares information (see here) with the other Facebook Companies. We may use the information we receive from them, and they may use the information we share with them, to help operate, provide, improve, understand, customize, support, and market our Services and their offerings, including the Facebook Company Products.” – WhatsApp said in an statement.Â
2. WhatsApp payments data seems to be secure
WhatsApp Payment’s privacy policy is different from that of its platform usage policy. The WhatsApp payments feature is powered by the NPCI – the guys that run UPI – and is completely controlled by the RBI.
Whatsapp issued a statement saying that Facebook will not have any access to a userâs digital transaction information made via WhatsApp Pay. This is because its India payments policy will overrule any privacy changes on the app.
If you are still apprehensive about using WhatsApp Pay, you can simply share our payment links on WhatsApp with your customers using your individual WhatsApp number.
3. WhatsApp is offering secure hosting from Facebook!
Under the updated and clarified privacy policy, WhatsApp says that you (as a business) can choose to receive secure hosting from Facebook to help you manage communications with your customers better.Â
The messenger platform also added that this move is to help businesses focus better and bring a sense of “interoperability” among Facebook, WhatsApp, and other Facebook-owned businesses.
4. The privacy policy offers options even to WhatsApp business users
Should you wish to continue with your Whatsapp business account – make sure to read the privacy policy before the 8th of February 2021 and opt-out of the business account if you donât want to allow access.
Our privacy policy update does not affect the privacy of your messages with friends or family. Learn more about how we protect your privacy as well as what we do NOT share with Facebook here: https://t.co/VzAnxFR7NQ
â WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) January 12, 2021
IDEA: You CAN switch back to WhatsApp personal accounts
If you donât use a WhatsApp business account but use a personal account to keep in touch with your customers, your data should remain safe. WhatsApp clarified that no updates have been made to its existing privacy policy.
For personal or individual accounts, messages are encrypted and they are also rolling out some new features that can allow you to continue using the messenger app.
Alternatives to WhatsApp Business:
You can switch to Signal, Telegram, or other apps to streamline communication with your customers. Startups are already gearing up to find alternatives to messaging apps for businesses to keep their data private.Â
WhatsApp Privacy Policy Update: Should You Be Concerned?@apar1984 says, “I would say, they do know a lot about us today but more you use, more they get know. People should have the option to reasonably assess the risk & shift from one platform to another”#WhatsAppPrivacyPolicy pic.twitter.com/roStMUyclU
â Faye DSouza (@fayedsouza) January 11, 2021
Signal
Signal is a cross-platform messaging app similar to WhatsApp, but more secure – for now. Their Twitter bio sneakily states that ” Privacy isnât an optional mode â itâs just the way that Signal works. Every message, every call, every time.”Â
Infact, privacy seems to be Signal’s USP. The app encrypts all messages, including the latest launched group calls. Elon Musk endorsed the app recently, leading to a global surge in downloads.
Use Signal
â Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 7, 2021
We continue to shatter traffic records and add capacity as more and more people come to terms with how much they dislike Facebook’s new terms. If you weren’t able to create a new group recently, please try again. New servers are ready to serve you.
â Signal (@signalapp) January 10, 2021
TelegramÂ
Telegram is one of the top 10 most-used apps in the world with over 500 million active users. Besides, it is great for your ever-expanding business! Why? Telegram has no limit on group size so you can add members without worrying about reaching the maximum number allowed.
According to this Entrepreneur article, Telegram has a view rate of 20%, Instagram has 3% and Facebook has 4%.Â
In fact, we recently launched our very own Telegram community for Indian Online Businesses and have been seeing great conversations from Indian MSMEs. If you’d like to stay updated on what’s happening in the Indian business circle, feel free to join our Telegram channel.
Whatsapp or not, take your business on the go easily with Instamojo! We allow a business to start, manage, and grow easily on the internet with shareable payment and online store links. Check out all the things you can do with Instamojo.
