WhatsApp recently announced that it is updating its terms of service and privacy policies from February 8, 2021. After facing a lot of backlash from users over privacy concerns, the Facebook-owned messaging app has now issued a clarification that your privacy won’t be affected if you don’t use its two optional features.
In its FAQ section, WhatsApp has said that the new privacy policy does not affect the privacy of your messages with your friends and family. As per the company, the update will only affect the messages sent to business accounts on WhatsApp, which it adds is an optional feature.
The Facebook-owned messaging app also noted that it cannot see the shared user location nor share contacts with its parent company. The WhatsApp update rolled out last week had detailed how the messaging platform shares information with Facebook and its subsidiaries.
“The information we share with other Facebook companies includes your account registration information (such as your phone number), transaction data, service-related information, information on how you interact with others (including businesses) when using our services, mobile device information, your IP address, and may include other information identified in the Privacy Policy section entitled ‘Information We Collect’ or obtained upon notice to you or based on your consent,” the WhatsApp update read.
WhatsApp users will have to ‘Agree’ to the policy popup when they login into the messaging app. The notification reads: “By tapping AGREE, you accept the new terms and privacy policy, which take effect on February 8, 2021.” 
Users also have the option to hit ‘Not Now’ or close the notification but will have to accept these new policies to continue using WhatsApp after February 8.