WhatsApp changes the conditions of use of the platform and warns users that from December 7, 2019 it reserves the right to report them. Here's why
This time it's not the usual hoax. Or the usual chain letter super alarmist devised by the usual good-tempered person with plenty of free time on his hands. If you don't behave properly, WhatsApp could close your account (and delete your chats, with no way to recover them) and report you to the authorities. And, as already mentioned, this is not one of the many jokes that go around from chat to chat.
The instant messaging platform has recently changed its terms of use, strengthening measures to prevent behavior deemed unsuitable or outright abuse by the hundreds of millions of users worldwide. "This challenge," reads the Facebook-owned messaging platform's help pages, "requires a holistic approach, and WhatsApp is committed to using the resources at its disposal, including legal action, to prevent abuses that violate our Terms of Service."
Why WhatsApp might sue you
The threat, if we can call it that, is obviously not aimed at those users who use WhatsApp to exchange messages and voice with their friends or those who send goodies. For some time now, WhatsApp technicians are engaged in a real virtual war against some users (behind which, usually, are hidden companies) that use the platform to send messages in an automatic and massive way. In short, WhatsApp summits have pointed their crosshairs towards those who spread spam between conversations and will use all available means to combat it.
Evidently, the measures introduced at a technological level such as machine learning systems that block the sending of messages or systems that limit the forwarding of texts to a maximum of five contacts at a time have proved ineffective. Or, in any case, not in line with the expectations of the Menlo Park company's engineers.
For this reason, starting next December 7, 2019, WhatsApp will take legal action against those it believes commit or help others commit abuses that violate the Terms of Service. If you are caught sending messages automatically and massively, or make non-personal use of your account, WhatsApp reserves the freedom to sue you and thus drag you to court.