In early 2021, WhatsApp caused a stir by changing its privacy policy. People believed the promise of end-to-end encryption was just a gimmick. After updating its privacy policy and reducing user trust, WhatsApp has issued a clarification ensuring users do not share private conversations, messages or call history with Facebook. Our privacy policy has changed significantly. WhatsApp has made an effort to explain how several factors change when interacting with business accounts on its network.
What is WhatsApp Business?
Users can create a business account on the standalone WhatsApp Business app to connect with their clients. Small businesses may use messaging apps to communicate with hundreds of potential consumers and solicit their feedback.
The app provides quick replies, labels, catalogs, business profiles, and other features. It’s important to keep in mind that content shared when messaging a company on WhatsApp may be seen by many people within that company. This means messaging a business on WhatsApp is different than having a private conversation with a friend or family member. Company may be used to store, read, or respond to messages.
WhatsApp Business cannot be used in regulated industries or where personal data confidentiality requirements are stringent, such as medical, financial or legal service entities
However, you can still use WhatsApp Business for your business.
- They are portrayed as companies and brands rather than as individuals.
- Can only be used between business and client. It cannot be used between organizations (because the policy states “not intended for use within an enterprise”).
Additionally, some companies may work with third-party service providers ( Facebook) to allow you to manage your communications with consumers.
Change
While it may seem like a run-of-the-mill routine change, the serious backlash it faced has led the multi-billion dollar messaging app to clarify its policies. It is imperative that people understand policy changes and their implications.
1. Hosting by Meta
Some companies may use Meta (including Facebook) “hosting services” to control their WhatsApp chats. These hosting services are employed to manage client interactions, answer inquiries, and deliver useful information such as purchase receipts. Depending on the business, her WhatsApp conversations with customers may be recorded and later subjected to internal scrutiny. For example, if a person buys something from an e-commerce website and an order alert appears on WhatsApp with information about delivery and other aspects, and the business uses Facebook’s hosting service, that information is shared with social It may be shared with your network. WhatsApp further states that it may use information shared in business chats “for its own marketing purposes, including Facebook advertising.”
As a result, after discussing purchasing something from the company, you may see Facebook ads for the same product. According to WhatsApp, conversations with companies that choose to use Facebook hosting services will be clearly labeled.
2. Data privacy and advertising
Added features such as shops allow businesses to promote their products within the application. In December 2020, the platform began rolling out this Facebook-branded service.
According to WhatsApp, if users choose to use shops on the platform, they will be informed how their data will be shared with Facebook. Shop features are not enabled for all business accounts. Some accounts are simple business accounts that customers cannot purchase directly from your messaging app. However, as more businesses use WhatsApp to do business, they may use similar features.
Users “may see ads on Facebook with buttons to message the business using WhatsApp.” According to WhatsApp, if you have WhatsApp installed on your phone, you will have the opportunity to communicate with that company. If you interact with these ads, Facebook will use this information to customize the ads you see on the social network.
3. Information processing in the United States
According to the amended policy, businesses using WhatsApp Business must consent to the transfer and processing of information collected, stored and used in the United States (and other countries where WhatsApp has facilities around the world). there is. The laws, regulations and standards of the countries in which information is stored or processed may differ from those in the country of business.
4. Burden on business
These policy terms designate us as the data controller under the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (the data controller is the person who determines the purposes and means of processing personal data). The Company selects recipients of messages and instructs WhatsApp to process such Personal Data for the duration of the Terms.
Under this new policy, it is the business that must obtain all relevant approvals, consents, licenses and rights, such as consent to share consumer contact information and other personal information with WhatsApp.
Further, according to the terms, companies using WhatsApp Business must defend, hold harmless and indemnify the WhatsApp parties from liability, damages, losses and expenses of any kind.
5. Share company content on WhatsApp
WhatsApp allows you to share information about your company. If you believe in good faith that it is reasonably necessary to disclose information about your business, including your company content.
Conclusion
Many of the terms are especially difficult for large organizations because of privacy laws such as GDPR and other industry-specific regulations. Given that WhatsApp messages are encrypted end-to-end, it remains to be seen what kind of visibility, audit trails, or proper record-keeping are available to businesses that use WhatsApp to interact with their customers. No. The WhatsApp Business Rules that businesses must accept (as stated above) make it clear that all risks associated with this are transferred to the business and are not a concern of Facebook, so businesses You must proceed with caution.
It’s unclear at this time what this means for regular WhatsApp users. For example, if you use WhatsApp to communicate with your company, what information do they receive from you? Are they allowed to view and retain your communications? How extensive is it and how do you control it? The answer depends on the laws of each country.
Understanding the types of data held, how they are classified, the standards that regulate that data, the sources of that data, and who has access to it are essential to an effective privacy program. Automating some of this activity can reduce the potential for human error and further prevent oversights that can result from overburdening staff.
The guidelines for better privacy management and management are easy once you understand them. Once they are ingrained in your behavior, they can help protect you from frequent fraud tactics. info@tsaaro.com If you want to run an audit of your consent practices, check out our regulatory compliance services.
