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WhatsApp is adapting to European standards That is why it is notifying all users of the latest changes in privacy policies and conditions of its service. All this so that, as of May 25, it strictly complies with the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation or RGPD created by the European Union. Something that has resulted in a new message that has begun to appear on the mobiles of all users residing in Europe. But what does it mean? What has changed in WhatsApp? Here we explain it to you.
The message appears without warning when you access WhatsApp normally. This is a screen that you can avoid by clicking on the “Not now” button in the upper right corner, in case you are in a hurry to check your messages. This will cause the message to reappear eventually in the future, after some time has passed. If you want to get rid of it forever, the best thing to do is read what WhatsApp has to tell you about your data and privacy, and accept it. Of course, knowing what you accept.
In the long text that WhatsApp shows on the second information screen, it talks about how your user data is processed. Or rather, what data WhatsApp collects, what data it sends to Facebook and how Facebook analyzes and stores itRemember that Facebook bought WhatsApp in 2014, and that there is a whole network of third-party companies involved in your data. Not with the desire to steal our privacy, presumably (the Cambridge Analitica case breaks this rule), but to record our age, gender, browser used, mobile operating system, Internet interests... Information that ends up being used to improve what is It shows us on Facebook, the suggested publications or to make the experience on the social network more personal. And, of course, also WhatsApp. Items that should be safe and not sold to third parties. All this is what WhatsApp narrates in detail and clearly in the text of the new notice.
Now, this new message focuses on being able to confirm that we are over 16 years old And it is that the new GDPR regulation in Europe requires that you have this minimum age for the use of messaging services. Something that could be reduced to 13 years with state laws that further adapt and refine the new regulation.So now WhatsApp will ask, one by one, its users in Europe, if they meet this age.
If we check the box and accept, this message will disappear, giving conscious confirmation that our age is 16 or older. Otherwise (by not checking the box), as of May 25, when the GDPR comes into force, we will not be able to use WhatsApp, since we will have made it clear that we do not meet the minimum age to use the service.
Also on WhatsApp Web
This new message-notification that WhatsApp is sending to all European users is not only limited to the mobile version of the service. That is, it is not only visible in the application. They certainly seem aware of the new European regulation, and are also sending notices through the desktop version of the messaging application.
Thus, it is normal if, when accessing WhatsApp Web, you also come across a small message indicating that there have been changes in the conditions of service and privacy policies. Of course, in this case there is no box to confirm the minimum age of 16 years But it serves as a reminder to let you know that WhatsApp has adapted to European regulations to avoid paying millions in fines for failing to securely treat the personal data of its users.
