What Kind Of Data Does WhatsApp Collect From Its Users?
WhatsApp, a messaging software owned by Meta, needs to receive and collect certain information about its users in order to provide and operate Services.
WhatsApp, a messaging software owned by Meta, needs to receive and collect certain information about its users in order to provide and operate Services.
There are three types of data that WhatsApp receives and collects from its users, and it all depends on how the service is used.
In order to create an account on the platform and access WhatsApp services, the user must first provide their mobile phone number.
Second, the messaging app has several optional features that only require user input when used. This collection of data is always open and if a user refuses to provide the requested information, they will not be able to access a particular feature.
For example, a user can’t share their location if they don’t allow the app to access their location data.
These are the different ways WhatsApp shares data between its different applications.
Information You Provide
Information about your account
To create a WhatsApp account, you need to submit your phone number and other basic information (e.g. a profile name). You cannot create an account or use WhatsApp services if you do not provide this information to WhatsApp. Other details, such as a profile picture and “About” information, may be added to your account.
your communication
WhatsApp does not track your messages in the ordinary course of business. Instead of being stored on WhatsApp servers, your messages are stored on your device. Your messages will be deleted from WhatsApp servers after delivery. The following descriptions illustrate situations in which WhatsApp can store your messages while they are being delivered.
undelivered messages
If a message can’t be delivered immediately (because the recipient is offline, for example), WhatsApp stores it encrypted on its servers for up to 30 days while it tries to deliver it. If a message hasn’t been sent after 30 days, it will be deleted.
media streaming
When a user transfers media in a message, WhatsApp temporarily stores the media in encrypted form on its servers to facilitate further transfers.
End-to-End Encryption
This means that your communication is encrypted so that WhatsApp or third parties cannot read it.
links
You may use the contact upload tool to periodically provide WhatsApp with phone numbers from your address book, including the phone numbers of WhatsApp users and other contacts, to the extent permitted by applicable law. If one of your contacts has not yet registered with WhatsApp, we treat this information for you in such a way that the application cannot identify them. Groups and mailing lists can be created, joined, or added, and these groups and lists are associated with your account information. Your groups are named by you. You can add a picture or a description to your group’s profile.
status information
If you prefer to assign a status to your account, you can share this information with WhatsApp.
Payment Account and Transaction Data
If you use WhatsApp payment services or if you use WhatsApp services for purchases or other financial activities, the company collects additional information about you, such as B. Payment account and transaction data. The information required to complete the transaction is included in the payment account and transaction information (e.g. information about your payment method, shipping details, and transaction amount). The Platform’s privacy practices are set out in the applicable Payments Privacy Policy when using the WhatsApp payment services available in your country or region.
Customer Service and Other Communications
When you contact WhatsApp for customer support or when you liaise with the company, you may also provide information about your use of the WhatsApp services, such as email). -E-mail). For example, you can send us an email with information about the functionality of the application or other concerns.
Information Collected Automatically
Usage and Registration Information
WhatsApp records information about your use of the application’s services, such as B. Service, diagnostic and performance data. This includes log files, diagnostics, crashes, website and performance logs, reports, and information about your activity (including your use of WhatsApp services, your service settings, your interaction with others using WhatsApp services (including your interaction with a business. ) and the timing, frequency, and duration of your activities and interactions). This includes information about when you first signed up to use the WhatsApp Services; features you use such as WhatsApp messages, calls, status, groups (including group name, group photo, and group description), payments or work features; Your profile picture and “About” information; whether you are online and when you last used WhatsApp services (your “last seen”); and when you last updated your “About” information.
Device and connection information
When you install, access or use WhatsApp services, WhatsApp collects connection and device-specific information. Hardware model, operating system information, battery level, signal strength, application version, browser information, mobile network, connection information (including phone number, carrier or ISP), some examples are language and time zone, IP address, device operating information, and identifiers (including unique identifiers for products of the Facebook companies, linked to the same device or account).
location information
If you use location-based features, such as For example, sharing your location with your contacts or showing nearby or shared locations, WhatsApp collects and uses precise location information from your smartphone with your consent. . For example, location-sharing is one of the settings related to location information that you can find in your device settings or app settings. Even if you don’t use WhatsApp’s location-based features, the app analyzes IP addresses and other data, such as B. Phone number area codes to estimate your general location (e.g. city and country). It also uses your location data for diagnostics and troubleshooting.
Cookies
WhatsApp uses cookies to operate and provide WhatsApp services, including web services, to improve your experience, better understand how WhatsApp services are used, and personalize them. For example, WhatsApp uses cookies to provide web, desktop, and other online services. They may also use cookies to determine which articles are most popular in your Help Center and to provide relevant information about WhatsApp. WhatsApp may also use cookies to remember your preferences, e.g. B. Language settings to provide you with a safer experience and to personalize its services to you.
Third-Party Information
Information that others provide about you
WhatsApp collects data about you from other WhatsApp users. If other users you know use WhatsApp, they can provide their phone number, name, and other information (e.g. the information from their mobile phone address book) in the same way as you. They can also call you, message you, or send messages to groups you belong to. Before submitting information to WhatsApp, each user must have the legal rights to acquire, use, and share their information.
user reports
Other users or third parties may report your interactions and communications with them or others on the WhatsApp Services in the same manner that you can report other users; B. to report possible violations of the WhatsApp Terms of Service or Rules. The Company collects information about the reporting user and the reported user when a report is submitted.
business on Whatsapp
Companies that contact you through WhatsApp Services may share information about your interactions with them. When submitting information to WhatsApp, each of these companies must comply with all applicable laws.
Keep in mind that if you connect with a business on WhatsApp, the content you share may be visible to many people from that business. In addition, some companies may use third-party providers (like Facebook) to manage their communications with customers. For example, a business may provide such third-party access to your communications to allow the business to send, store, read, manage, or otherwise process them. You should read a company’s privacy policy or contact the company directly to find out how they will handle your information, including how it may be shared with third parties or with Facebook.
Also Read: WhatsApp Business Directory: New feature allows users to search for nearby shops and restaurants
Third-Party Service Providers
WhatsApp works with third parties and other Facebook companies to help you operate, provide, improve, understand, change, support, and promote their Services. For example, the company works with them to distribute its applications, provide technical and physical infrastructure, deployment, and other systems, provide technical support, cybersecurity support and operational support, provide location information, maps, and locations, process payments, and understand how people use their use Services, market them, conduct surveys and research for the Platform and ensure security and reliability.
In some cases, these organizations may provide WhatsApp with information about you; For example, app stores may provide reports to WhatsApp to diagnose and fix service issues.
Third-Party Services
You can use the WhatsApp services together with third-party services and products from the Facebook company through the messaging application. If you use the WhatsApp Services in connection with such third party services or Facebook Company products, WhatsApp may receive information about you from them; For example, if you use the WhatsApp Share button on a news service to share a news article with your WhatsApp contacts, groups or mailing lists on the WhatsApp Services, or if you choose to access the WhatsApp Services by promoting the Access services through the mobile operator or the device provider.
WhatsApp may receive information about you from them. It is important to note that when you use any third-party service or product, you are subject to their respective terms and privacy policies.
Also Read: WhatsApp Will Introduce New Features For Corporate Directories