The European Commission has announced WhatsApp has committed to providing users greater transparency over changes to its terms of service. In addition, WhatsApp has agreed to make it easier for users to reject updates and explain whether such rejection will result in the user no longer being able to use the messaging app. Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders, said: “I welcome WhatsApp's commitments to changing its practices to comply with EU rules, actively informing users of any changes to their contract, and respecting their choices instead of asking them each time they open the app.”
The announcement stems from ongoing dialogue with the Consumer Protection Cooperation (CPC Network) and its demands for clarity and questions over changes to WhatsApp's privacy notice changes. The CPC Network got involved after the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) filed a complaint in 2021 following WhatsApp's privacy notice changes, which the company made after the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) issued WhatsApp a €225m fine over data sharing transparency.
Not everyone is happy with WhatsApp's promise to be more transparent, as Barron's reports the BEUC has called the commitments "a disappointment for consumers".
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