WhatsApp has recently implemented its most recent privacy policy with a revised access agreement that includes a proposal to exchange more user data with parent company Facebook.

The deadline for WhatsApp users to approve a revised privacy policy is May 15. The policy, which was first communicated to users in early 2021, sparked a lot of debate. This time, however, WhatsApp has stated that while acceptance of the policy is not needed, users who refuse to implement it will lose access to some of WhatsApp's most popular features. In other words, WhatsApp is once again asking its users to embrace it or face the consequences.

Early in January, WhatsApp users were asked to approve the latest "Updated Terms and Privacy Policy" via an in-app notification. Then came the backlash from consumers.

Users, in particular, took issue with one aspect of WhatsApp's new privacy policy: the firmness with which the company pressured users to embrace it. Users must embrace the policy or they will lose access to the app and will no longer be able to use WhatsApp, according to the statement.

According to Facebook and WhatsApp, the new privacy policy was necessary because WhatsApp needed to share some information with Facebook in order to implement e-commerce features in the app. It was also necessary for the app to improve the functionality of the business accounts. It was all for the good of consumers, according to the company. It claimed that the new privacy policy's improvements in data sharing with Facebook only affected business accounts and the chats users would have with those accounts.

The majority of users, however, were not persuaded. They were alarmed to learn that WhatsApp will be sharing more data with Facebook. They were also irritated by WhatsApp's insistence that they adopt the policy or risk losing access to the app.

As a result, a deadlock was reached. The deadline for the revised privacy policy has been moved back to May 15. It also vowed to conduct a more thorough review of its privacy policies for users.

The deadline of May 15 is rapidly approaching. Unlike the last time, WhatsApp has changed its strategy. No one will lose access to the app if they refuse to accept the new privacy terms, according to the company. They would only lose access to a few — Significant — features instead.

In some ways, it's almost the same thing. WhatsApp's goal remains the same, and the company recognizes that by limiting functionality, it is effectively pressuring users to follow the new privacy policy. In other words, it seems to be extortion.

And it seems that way, because if users can use the same functionality now even if they haven't approved the new privacy policy, the cap WhatsApp will impose on the app after May 15 will be artificial.

Features that won't work after May 15

WhatsApp recently updated its FAQ page to explain what will happen on May 15 if users do not agree to the current terms and privacy policy. The first line on the FAQ page states, "No one's account will be removed or their WhatsApp features will be lost as a result of this update on May 15."

After May 15, users still have time to approve the updates, according to WhatsApp. That means the messaging platform will continue to display a constant reminder on the app, and users will soon see restricted features before they embrace the new terms.

In addition to restricted features, the WhatsApp FAQ page states that users will not be able to access their chat list until a later date, but they will be able to address incoming voice and video calls. When users who have not approved the new policy open WhatsApp, a persistent alert will appear. Users who have notifications allowed, however, can tap on them to read or respond to a message or call back a missed phone or video call, according to the company.

"You won't be able to accept incoming calls or updates after a few weeks of minimal functionality, and WhatsApp will avoid sending messages and calls to your phone," the company adds.

In other words, even though you keep your WhatsApp account, you won't be able to do anything about it if you don't agree to the new privacy policy. In other words, WhatsApp is sending out the same message: Accept our policy or find another choice.

This is a serious issue. There are two explanations for this. One, even though WhatsApp claims that its new policy only applies to business accounts, users who refuse to follow it lose access to not only business chats and business account features in the app, but also personal chats and other features.

Why can't WhatsApp let people who just use WhatsApp for personal contact have the old privacy policy if it really cares about their convenience? It could easily do so and inform users that they must support the new privacy policy in order to access business chats and e-commerce features. Otherwise, you'll be limited to using the software for private contact. WhatsApp, on the other hand, isn't saying that.

Second, the new policy would not apply to users in a variety of other countries where privacy rules are strict and governments often protect users' interests.

It goes without saying that WhatsApp is a private service. It owes no obligations to users other than those mandated by statute. It is, however, a service that is used by over a billion people worldwide. As a result, it isn't yet another app. Since it is a part of life, anything it does will be scrutinized by the public, which smaller apps will be able to stop or get away with.

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One of the main features of Android 10 was the integration of Dark mode. With that many apps also started adapting and integrating dark / Night mode in them. As more and more apps are adapting dark theme there are few which are still using a light theme, one of them is Facebook.

Facebook is taking their sweet time to implement the dark theme and according to new development, dark mode in Facebook was seen recently for a brief amount of time then disappeared. A similar thing happened a couple of months ago, dark mode appeared and disappeared. As the test has stared popping, we hope Facebook will bring the Dark Mode feature soon. 

Also read: HOW TO GET FACEBOOK’S NEW REDESIGNED WEBSITE WITH DARK MODE

Personal information of 53.3 crores Facebook users from 106 countries has been leaked online from Facebook's database.

A user in a low-level hacking forum on Saturday published the phone numbers and personal data of hundreds of millions of Facebook users for free online.

The leaked data includes the details like full names, Facebook IDs, locations, birthdates, email addresses, and even phone numbers. 

According to a report from Business Insider, an American online media company, over 3.2 crore accounts in the US, 1.1 crores in the UK, and 60 lakhs in India have been exposed. 

The data that was leaked online also includes the users' posts on the social networking site. 

In early 2020 a vulnerability that enabled seeing the phone number linked to Facebook accounts was exploited.

Last December, there were reports of a bug that exposed the personal information that was discovered by Saugat Pokhrel from Nepal. 

According to a Facebook spokesperson, the bug was only accessible for a short period of time during a small test.

In November Facebook fixed a critical bug in its Messenger app that could have allowed hackers to conned to personal audio calls. 

It seems that at this point Facebook can not do much to fix this situation other than informing the users to remain vigilant in the future.

The users are asked to be alert about "social engineering attacks" by people who may have obtained this information and have wrong intentions. 

Even though the leaked data is a couple of years old, it could provide valuable information to cybercriminals.

 

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Feat International from Nepal has officially partnered with Facebook as an authorized reseller of Facebook ads in Nepal.

Feat International now holds the title of being the first digital marketing agency from Nepal to associate with Facebook. This association has opened up a wide range of opportunities for the local digital marketers and anyone looking to buy Facebook ads. It will be easier and probably cheaper for businesses in Nepal to promote their products/services on Facebook.

Facebook ads currently is a hotspot zone for marketing and advertising for businesses or any other organizations. Feat and Facebook partnership entails that the ads run can now be tracked via invoice billing. The partnership also allows Nepal government to be able to keep track of transactions done for Facebook ads from Nepali individuals and organizations.

Provision Facebook ads to be paid through formal means will not only help increase the country’s revenue but the concerned parties will receive hassle free services and economic benefits as well. Feat International is a complete marketing solution provider that aims to change the face of digital marketing in South Asia. 

Feat is also a reseller of Oho Domain, Viber Business Messages and Shout-out.

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