WhatsApp Answers To Rumors Of New Requirements In 2021

WhatsApp illustration (Image Credit: Aarn Giri / Unsplash)

JAKARTA - WhatsApp is rumored to be updating its terms of service, or Term of Service, next year. It is said that one of the provisions can make WhatsApp users lose access to the chat service.

Information about WhatsApp's new requirements is known from a report on the WABetaInfo website some time ago. With this change in rules, as quoted from The Independent, WhatsApp will ask users to agree to the new privacy rules or be threatened with losing access to this application, aka being turned off.

The changes to this rule are said to be implemented in February 2021. WhatsApp finally spoke up and gave an explanation regarding the update of these requirements.

"In recent days, we have seen news about deleting WhatsApp accounts in early 2021 if the user does not agree to the renewal of the WhatsApp Terms and Conditions of Use," WhatsApp wrote in a blog post, Friday, December 11.

If you're used to publish an article about news posted on my website or Twitter, you are always free to contact me for clarifications. I don't know why but a lot of websites talked about "advertisements", but I was very clear . Clickbait or what 😅 https://t.co/VVrCFRx5mU

- WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) December 10, 2020

"In this regard, we would like to clarify that just like other applications in general, users are required to agree to the renewal of the applicable Terms and Conditions of Service," WhatsApp wrote.

According to WhatsApp, this update is also in line with the use of WhatsApp Business in terms of messaging carried out by business owners. As for changes to these terms of service, the first is regarding how WhatsApp processes user data.

There is also a clause on how businesses can use Facebook-hosted services and manage user-owned chats. Users themselves, are allowed to read the new terms and conditions in the Terms of Service before being approved.

However, of course they must agree to these terms in order to use WhatsApp. In fact, this is not something that is surprising, because every online service does require users to agree to the Terms of Service provided.

Reportedly, this new requirement update will be released along with the WhatsApp software update version 2.20.206.19 for Android and 2.20.130 for iOS.