The instant messaging app, also known as WhatsApp is implementing a series of modifications to its terms and conditions.
The latest updates reflect WhatsApp’s adaptation to new European regulations, namely the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act. These regulations mandate companies to enhance transparency regarding their content moderation and delivery practices.
The updated terms will incorporate additional details outlining permissible and prohibited content on the app. They will further clarify an EU mandate compelling platforms like WhatsApp to enable cross-app messaging. Additionally, there will be expanded information regarding the moderation process for the Channels feature.
The mandate for enabling messaging to other apps, referred to as “interoperability” in European regulations, stands out as one of the most noteworthy changes in the new rules. It’s highlighted that specific data will be transmitted to these third-party messaging services, potentially falling outside its privacy assurances.
Apart from the adjustments made in compliance with European regulations, the instant messaging app is also reducing the minimum age requirement for its service in Europe and the UK from 16 to 13. This brings it in line with the existing age requirement in other countries like the US, a decision made by WhatsApp to maintain consistency across regions.
This instant messaging app recent revisions to its terms and conditions sparked controversy in the past. During late 2020 and early 2021, the introduction of new rules regarding data sharing caused a significant outcry, with many users threatening to abandon the platform.
This time around, WhatsApp emphasized its ongoing dedication to user privacy.
“These updates for users in the European Region do not change our commitment to user privacy and do not expand any data sharing when messaging other WhatsApp users,” a WhatsApp spokesperson said in a statement.
Besides, he also added, “Wherever you are in the world, we protect all personal messages with end-to-end encryption, which means no one, not even WhatsApp, can read or listen to them.”
