WhatsApp will go ahead with the new privacy update, which has landed the app in controversy since early January. Though the messaging app will not do so without proving adequate information to users, it said last week. WhatsApp will now roll out its privacy policy on May 15 and if users do not accept the privacy policy, they will be able to access their accounts for “a short time” but with limited functionalities. 

WhatsApp had announced its new privacy policy and terms of service in January through an in-app notification, saying that the policies will be rolled out on February 8 and those who do not agree with it would not be able to access their accounts. 

Also Read | WhatsApp to notify users about privacy update with help of banner

WhatsApp will “slowly ask” users to accept the news of service, which are the same even now, “in order to have full functionality” of the app, it said in an email to ‘TechCrunch.’ 

If the users do not comply with new privacy policies, which will now be rolled out from May 15, the users will be “able to receive calls and notifications,” for a short time but they will not be able to “read or send messages from the app,” WhatsApp told TechCrunch.

Also Read | You may be a trillion-dollar company, but people value their privacy: SC to WhatsApp

For that short time, which means for a few weeks, the users would be able to access their WhatsApp accounts even if they do not agree with the new terms. 

Also Read | WhatsApp may roll out user-friendly ‘log out’ feature in app

The new privacy policy of WhatsApp has caused quite a stir, also forcing users to migrate to other apps, including Telegram and Signal. WhatsApp’s privacy policies enable Facebook to have access the information of business accounts and the company faced severe backlash from users, with many accusing the social media platform of stealing their private information and sharing it with Facebook.

WhatsApp has clarified that after the new privacy policies will be implemented, it will only share the information of business accounts with Facebook, not of personal accounts.