Users to lose access to WhatsApp if its privacy policy not accepted by 8 February

Jan. 9: Users now have no choice but to let WhatsApp share your data with company parent Facebook if you’d like to keep using the service. The messaging app has published a new privacy policy, which takes effect on Feb. 8. “After this date, you’ll need to accept these updates to continue using WhatsApp,” the service has been telling users via an in-app alert that asks them to agree to the policy. If you don’t agree, the same alert subtly suggests you delete your account.

Here is an extract from the new privacy policy, with some of the data that WhatsApp collects —

“We collect device and connection-specific information when you install, access, or use our Services. This includes information such as hardware model, operating system information, battery level, signal strength, app version, browser information, mobile network, connection information (including phone number, mobile operator or ISP), language and time zone, IP address, device operations information, and identifiers (including identifiers unique to Facebook Company Products associated with the same device or account).”