The popular mobile social media, WhatsApp has got a lot of users with the evolution of smartphones. Facebook, though has acquired it, we do not know the business model for WhatsApp to make money. Few sources say that source of income is the renewal fee after a year a WhatsApp users uses it. However, we do not see many users who actually renewed their WhatsApp account. Also, few sources say that data is used to make money. After digging up on the privacy policy, we do get a lot of hidden facts about WhatsApp.
If you are under 16, it is illegal to use WhatsApp
WhatApp service is intended for the use of people with age 16 and above. If you are a "children" or below age 16, and using WhatApp service, it is illegal according to their terms.
Messages will not be stored on WhatsApp servers
Your chat messages are deleted from WhatsApp servers once your messages are delivered. In case, if your message is undelivered, WhatsApp will hold messages for 30 days and will deliver the message if the recipient's WhatsApp gets connected. After 30 days, if your message is not delivered, WhatsApp server will hold delete your message.
However, WhatsApp will store time and date for the messages that you send and receive on servers forever.
Photos, Videos and Contacts will not be deleted even if deleted by user
Files that you send to different users will be sent to WhatsApp server, after which the server sends to the recipient. WhatsApp servers will not delete the files even after the file is delivered to the recipient. WhatsApp will hold the file for 30 days after which they get deleted from the server.
WhatsApp will store your billing information even if you delete account
Any billing information you provide to WhatsApp will be stored on WhatsApp servers. If you delete WhatsApp account, your billing information is stored for 30 days, after which those details will be deleted.
Business Advertisements as statuses are illegal
Solicitation of business through profile status is illegal according to the terms of service.
WhatsApp may share your phone number with third-party
Your phone number is used as a Personally Identifiable Information. This is stored by WhatsApp in order to improve the service. WhatsApp, though will not share any data without your consent, may use for improvement and maintenance of service.
What is your thought on this? Are you a frequent user of WhatsApp? WhatsApp's way of keeping the data is pretty decent than any other companies that make money with your data.