[WiP] WhatsApp review

[michielbdejong]

There are a lot of points about WhatsApp, and a lot of them are either duplicates, or outdated. After a quick read-through of the current terms, and using the checklist, I got the following list of points which I think should be mentioned in the WhatsApp review. I grouped the existing points from the database as much as possible:

• class action waiver

• minimum age 13

    "SROmUOik8hA: [Info] To use WhatsApp you must be 16 years old",
  

• must provide phone number

    "3ynaJzse2j0: WhatsApp may use your phone number for non-marketing or administrative purposes",
    "8SIqO9sG24g: WhatsApp may use your phone number for marketing messages",
    "46bBu5v9g4E: WhatsApp has minimal data census",
    "S6YptcFzowA: [Bad] WhatsApp requires your mobile phone number",
    "xcFrWcfdMjc: [Good] WhatsApp doesn't collect personal information besides the phone number"
  

• you upload your addressbook, but message content is e2ee'ed.

    "YW_XAJ09NVo: [Bad] WhatsApp requires access to your contact list",
  

• no refunds if they suspend your account

    "uSF_uwsLxfs: [Bad] WhatsApp may terminate your account at any time, by any reason",
  

• your data is stored in the united states

    "IVxErDn-OSc: [Good] WhatsApp deletes content after delivering messages",
  

• after suspension, you will not create another account

• no reverse engineering

• transferable license, but for limited purpose

    "66bjTaWs7NY: [Bad] WhatsApp may sell your personal information such as phone number unless you opt-out",
  

• no warranty (service provided as-is)

• defend, indemnify, and hold harmless (including your breach or alleged breach of our Terms

    "eg9lcwh7EQE: [Bad] You indemnify Whatsapp from any claim related to your content",
  

• will provide you notice of amendments to our Terms, as appropriate, but Please review our Terms from time to time.

    "50E7oJBENos: Appropriate notice is given when the terms change",
    "oV_NT66NKhE: [Bad] WhatsApp may change terms at any time, without notice",
  

• archived versions are provided

• info about cookie settings is provided

    "PPjzWovmDf8: [Info] WhatsApp may require cookies",
  

• do not claim ownership of your data

    "B3ohc03EjfU: [Bad] WhatsApp holds unlimited copyright license on your Status Submissions",
  

• you do have a right to leave the service

    "0OpLZGJCMPY: Whatsapp Account Removal",
    "mpju9WzfL0o: [Good] WhatsApp allows you to delete your account",
  

• can export data: https://www.whatsapp.com/faq/en/general/23753886

• e2ee limits exposure to government requests

    "kjMQh4bGzoE: (good point) WhatsApp does not store content of messages",
  

• your data is transferable in case of merger/acquisition

Unsorted:

• "Ae0bw0wV3ew: [good] WhatsApp has no personalized advertisement",
• "KeR4MboYsWA: [bad] WhatsApp ToS are hidden and unease",
• "LVQjE4BMyuM: [Info] Any personal information shared with WhatsApp is publicly available",
• "Xg5PCWTsF5w: WhatsApp found to be violating data protection/privacy laws in Canada and the Netherlands",
• "Z4-wi3Fgd5w: [Info] WhatsApp Choice of law: Santa Clara County, California",
• "_MsdmVUjWTw: [Bad] WhatsApp may release personal information",
• "j2Ui9rEj0LY: [bad] WhatApp has no subscribing for its ToS",