Accidentally Accepted WhatsApp’s New Privacy Policy? – What to Do Now? Is There Any Chance of Going Back?

In case you've already accepted WhatsApp's new privacy policy – there's no way of going back. WhatsApp has presented a one-way option, forcing all of its users to either accept the new terms or lose access to certain (essential) features the app offers.

So, what exactly does that mean if you've accidentally accepted WhatsApp's new policy? Is there a method to go back? And more importantly – is there a way to stop WhatsApp from sharing your data with Facebook? Let's find out!

Can You Reverse Your Decision If You've Already Accepted WhatsApp's New Policy? 

No, there's no way to reverse your decision. Still, there is something important that you need to know. WhatsApp's new privacy policy goes into effect on May 15, 2021. That means your personal data is safe for now, as it's still being treated as per WhatsApp's currently active privacy policy. 

Sadly, that doesn't mean that you can avoid having your account affected by this latest change. This isn't only a technical question but also a (highly complex) legal one. So, it all comes down to the following. If you want to keep using WhatsApp, you have to accept that specific types of data will be shared with Facebook. 

Is There Any Way to Prevent WhatsApp From Sharing Data With Facebook?

No, there is no way to prevent WhatsApp from enforcing its new privacy policy. Therefore, if you are not comfortable with how the app treats your data – you don't have many options.

Primarily, you should delete your account and switch to a different app. So, let's give you more information regarding those steps. 

Step #1: Delete Your WhatsApp Account

By deleting your WhatsApp account, you make sure that your private data doesn't end up in Facebook's hands. Don't just uninstall the app – but instead, go through the following steps. 

• Using WhatsApp, go to Settings > Account > Delete My Account. 
• Confirm your phone number, and tap on 'Delete My Account.'
• Choose whether to send your feedback and then tap on 'Next.'
• Finally, tap once again on 'Delete My Account' to confirm your decision. That's it!

Step #2: Switch to a WhatsApp Alternative

At the moment, secure chat apps are on the rise (primarily caused by WhatsApp's new privacy policy). Among those, there are two apps that stand out – and those are Telegram and Signal. Both of these are highly interesting WhatsApp alternatives, treating your privacy in the best way possible. 

Nobody ever invited Big Tech to join a group chat, but they still hang around and know what's going on.

Signal knows nothing. Private groups protect your group names, group membership, group messages, and even the group avatar with end-to-end encryption.https://t.co/4T5yYWl88U

— Signal (@signalapp) April 21, 2021

Using Telegram or Signal, you can continue to stay in touch with your friends, family, and coworkers. Both of those support text messaging and video/audio calls, and they also come with group-like chats, stickers, and more – without collecting or selling any of your data. 

So, do you plan to remain a WhatsApp user? Or maybe you plan on switching to a new app? Let us know what you think in the comments section below. Lastly, thanks for reading!