WhatsApp will make terms of service optional in future, here’s how
Earlier this year, WhatsApp announced plans to renew its terms of service and privacy policy that would authorize users to share their personal information with Facebook when a user submits a WhatsApp Business account.
However, the failure of WhatsApp to communicate effectively with new developments has created widespread confusion among users, forcing the company to delay the deadline that required everyone to accept the new changes.
The company then revealed that it had pushed a deadline to May 15 and that users who did not accept the new policy on that day would start to see their WhatsApp activities gradually reduced over time.
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However, as the reaction continued, WhatsApp was forced to review the change, with the company later confirming its decision not to delete or reduce accounts. Now new evidence suggests that a Facebook-owned company may be making new terms of service optional.
WhatsApp Terms of Service
According to WABetainfo, WhatsApp will allow users to continue using the service as is the case even if they do not accept updated terms of service. The company now plans to limit this mandatory change to WhatsApp Business messaging.
In simple words, if you use WhatsApp to chat with your friends and family, you can choose to ignore the terms and continue using the app without attracting any restrictions. However, if you want to chat with business accounts, WhatsApp will need to “update and accept the WhatsApp update.”
The following message will be displayed when a user tries to send a message with a business account:
WhatsApp asks the user to accept the updated terms of service before sending messages via a business account. WhatsApp always maintains that its updated terms of service will only apply to users who send messages to WhatsApp Business accounts.
WABetainfo says WhatsApp plans to announce the new change in Terms of Service “soon” and that a future version of WhatsApp beta will support the change. WhatsApp has yet to officially confirm this new change.
WhatsApp is releasing a new beta update for Android, which reveals that the company is developing a new feature that lets users search images on the web. The fresh beta update can be identified through version 2.24.21.31.
The Search images on the web feature of WhatsApp will allow users to check the authenticity of images they receive to make it easier to spot misleading or fake content.
When a user wants to search for an image, it will be uploaded to Google, which helps them find similar images or sources online to quickly get more information.
Notably, WhatsApp ensures privacy by not storing or processing these images. While the image is sent to Google for searching, it remains private and secure.
With this new feature, users will be able to use any image, whether sent by a friend or received in a forwarded message for search on the web to verify them online.
In addition to the image search, WhatsApp is also developing a feature to check links in frequently forwarded messages to verify their authenticity.
The image search feature is currently under development and will be available in a future update. Users can expect more information soon as WhatsApp continues to enhance its platform. Stay Tuned!
WhatsApp introduces call link feature to group and individual chats
WhatsApp for Android is rolling out a new beta update with version 2.24.21.29, which comes with a handy call link feature. This update makes it easier for users to start calls in both individual and group chats.
With this new feature, users can easily generate call links without needing to go to the Calls tab. The call link shortcut is now located in the chat attachment menu. Previously, creating call links was a bit complicated since users had to go to the Calls tab to generate them.
Now, to use the Call Links feature, simply tap the attachment icon while chatting. This makes starting a call faster and more convenient since you can do it right from your ongoing conversation.
Initially, the call link feature was only available for group chats, but now it works for individual chats as well. Many people might not have known they could create call links before, but this update makes it clear and easy to use.
This call link feature is currently available to some beta testers who have installed the latest version of WhatsApp from the Google Play Store. As the update continues to roll out, more users can expect to see this feature in the coming days.
Android users get iOS-like contact syncing feature with fresh WhatsApp Beta
WhatsApp has released a fresh update for beta users on Android with version 2.24.21.26. This update introduces a new feature that gives users more control over how their contacts are synced across different devices on WhatsApp.
The latest update allows users to add, edit, or delete contacts from any device linked to their WhatsApp account, such as tablets or computers. It means that any changes made on one device will automatically sync to all other connected devices. It helps contact list up-to-date no matter where you are.
For those who want to keep personal and work contacts separate, there’s an option to disable syncing for specific accounts. This lets users prevent certain contacts from showing up in their WhatsApp to maintain privacy.
Moreover, WhatsApp also adds extra security by using cryptographic hashes to protect the phone numbers of contacts who aren’t on the app. This ensures that user data remains safe while still allowing WhatsApp to monitor for any unusual activity related to contact uploads.
Users can still chat with their existing contacts as the app remains fully functional, even with contact syncing turned off. If someone switches to a new phone or reinstalls WhatsApp, their linked contacts will automatically be restored easily.
WhatsApp contact syncing feature was already available to iOS users, and now Android beta testers can enjoy the same benefit. As the update rolls out, more users will have the chance to try this privacy feature.