WhatsApp has terms and conditions of use for users, meaning that only those who comply with the service guidelines can use it on the platform for Android and iPhone (iOS) phones, in addition to PC and web versions. Despite being the most popular app in the world, not everyone can use it because of the rules. The messenger acquired by Facebook in 2014 sets a minimum age of 16 in some countries, in addition to collecting data on people's activity, for example. A new app term validates sharing information obtained with Facebook. Remember that the non-compliance with the rules of use can lead the offender to ban the social network.
This type of regulation is present in all applications and serves to enter into a contract between the user and the entire operating system responsible for the platform. To learn more about the messenger terms of service, the dnetc has prepared a list of curiosities to increase your knowledge at the time of registration. Here's how end-to-end encryption and user location information works, for example.
What Yo WhatsApp? Know the features (and risks) by downloading APK
WhatsApp Passes Facebook and Becomes World's Most Used App Photo: Luciana Maline / dnetc
Want to buy a cell phone, TV and other discounted products? Meet the Compare dnetc
1. Prohibited for children under 16 in the European Region
WhatsApp has provided a unique term of service option for the European continent: only those over 16 can use the app's tools. This is part of the new data privacy regulation (GRPR) created by the European Union to demand more transparency about online data. The social network at has created an exclusive company to operate on the continent: WhatsApp Ireland Limited, headquartered in Ireland.
With the requirement, all app entries must confirm age as a requirement to accept the terms of service. However, this rule only applies to the European continent. In other continents and countries, including Brazil, the minimum age to use the app is 13 years old.
WhatsApp has specific rules for European users Photo: Reproduction / dnetc
2. Data Sharing with Facebook
From the sale of WhatsApp to Facebook, the app has become one of the platform affiliated companies. One consequence of this was the attachment of sharing user data with Facebook. This union made it easier, especially, for customers to relate to other companies that use both applications. With the integration, when the customer sees a company page on Facebook, there is a button that takes them directly to WhatsApp to do a direct deal. Another situation when a customer keeps in touch with a company through the messenger, the chance of appearing on that company on Facebook increases.
While the relationship between the two services has improved many business aspects, many users did not like to know that their data may be shared with Facebook. However, in the software's own terms of service it is explained that nothing shared on WhatsApp like photos, conversations and videos will be attached to other applications such as Facebook unless the account owner himself wants to.
Integration between WhatsApp and Facebo has privacy limits Photo: Divulgao / WhatsApp
3. End-to-end encryption
End-to-end encryption policy is one of the most important terms of service and is applied daily to user activities. The method restricts to the members of the conversation the content sent between them. All photos, messages, videos, voice messages, documents and links cannot be viewed by other users, only by the owner of the account itself. End-to-end encryption is always enabled throughout the messenger system and there is no possibility of disabling. This way, all your data will always be protected by WhatsApp's terms of service.
However, this security policy has already caused several problems with Brazil's judicial authorities. Access to the content is blocked even for application developers, because the decryption made by encryption makes it impossible to identify the origin of the message. By not making the data of the users available, several criminal investigations have already been harmed, which led to application shutdowns ordered by the Brazilian Justice.
WhatsApp can't intercept messages from users Photo: Luciana Maline / dnetc
4. Information acquired by the app
WhatsApp seeks to collect information about the activities that are done in the application itself. According to the company, the focus is on the frequency of message submissions, how long the user stays connected to the application, and how they interact with other users. Therefore, content of the messages, such as photos or videos, would be off the radar of the person responsible. The messenger wants to diagnose a pattern through the activities performed by the account of all users and thus seek an improvement of the application operating system.
WhatsApp says it is interested in user behavior to offer improvements Photo: Reproduction / dnetc
Unlike other applications, WhatsApp only has access to the user's location if it is shared with someone else on the service. There are no terms of use policies that affect the privacy of registered customers. Most of the time, people have the autonomy to choose the information they want to share in the app itself.
To send location data you can choose between: fixed, with a fixed static point, or in real time, where the point can be dynamic and accompanied by the recipient for 15 minutes, 60 minutes or 8 hours the sender can cancel before the end of the period. Strictly optional use is the responsibility of interested parties, such as sending photos, videos, and other information.
User can choose whether to send location via WhatsApp Photo: Thssius Veloso / dnetc
WhatsApp: What function is still missing in the app? Comment on dnetc's Forum.
WhatsApp offline? Trick delivers you from boring people; know how to use
