WhatsApp will gradually disable the ability to make calls and send messages for users who do not agree with the new privacy policy of the service. According to company representatives, within a few weeks, users who do not want to agree with the new policy will begin to lose access to their chat lists. In addition, they will only be able to receive calls and reply to incoming messages.

The new privacy policy was originally slated for February, but the company delayed it by three months after critics said the update would allow the app to transfer more user data to Facebook. WhatsApp denies these allegations and claims that the updated terms will only apply to business accounts and are intended to make life easier for users.  

In February, WhatsApp announced that all users who refused to share data with Facebook will receive notifications to accept the new privacy policy. In case of refusal, the functionality of the service for them will be curtailed. However, user accounts that do not accept the new rules will not be deleted, but from May 15, they will face a number of serious restrictions.

WhatsApp claims that updating the policy will not affect user privacy in any way. Nevertheless, after the news of its change, many users of the messenger switched to alternative services such as Telegram and Signal. The latter’s downloads grew 4200% after WhatsApp first announced the changes to come.