If you live in a country in the European Economic Area ( which includes the European Union ) , and any other included country or territory ( collectively referred to as the European Region ) , your Services are provided by WhatsApp Ireland Limited ( " WhatsApp Ireland " ) , which is also the data controller responsible for your information when you use our Services .
If you live in any other country , except those in the European Region , your Services are provided by WhatsApp Inc. , which is also your data controller responsible for your information when you use our Services .
WhatsApp must receive or collect some information to operate , provide , improve , understand , customize , support , and market our Services , including when you install , access , or use our Services .
You provide your mobile phone number and basic information ( including a profile name ) to create a WhatsApp account .
You provide us , all in accordance with applicable laws , the phone numbers in your mobile address book on a regular basis , including those of both the users of our Services and your other contacts .
You may provide us an email address .
You may also add other information to your account , such as a profile picture and about information .
We do not retain your messages in the ordinary course of providing our Services to you .
Once your messages ( including your chats , photos , videos , voice messages , files , and share location information ) are delivered , they are deleted from our servers .
If a message can not be delivered immediately ( for example , if you are offline ) , we may keep it on our servers for up to 30 days as we try to deliver it .
If a message is still undelivered after 30 days , we delete it .
To improve performance and deliver media messages more efficiently , such as when many people are sharing a popular photo or video , we may retain that content on our servers for a longer period of time .
To help you organize how you communicate with others , we may help you identify your contacts who also use WhatsApp , and you can create , join , or get added to groups and broadcast lists , and such groups and lists get associated with your account information .
If you use our payment services available in your country , we process purchase and transaction information as described in the applicable Payments Privacy Policy .
You may provide us with information related to your use of our Services , including copies of your messages , and how to contact you so we can provide you customer support .
We collect information about your activity on our Services , like service-related , diagnostic , and performance information .
This includes information about your activity ( including how you use our Services , your Services settings , how you interact with others using our Services , and the time , frequency , and duration of your activities and interactions ) , log files , and diagnostic , crash , website , and performance logs and reports .
This also includes information about when you registered to use our Services , the features you use like our messaging , calling , Status , or groups features , profile photo , about information , whether you are online , when you last used our Services ( your " last seen " ) , and when you last updated your about information .
We collect device and connection-specific information when you install , access , or use our Services .
This includes information like hardware model , operating system information , battery level , signal strength , app version , browser information , and mobile network , connection information including phone number , mobile operator or ISP , language and time zone , and IP , device operations information , and identifiers like device identifiers ( including identifiers unique to Facebook Company Products associated with the same device or account ) .
We collect device location information if you use our location features , like when you choose to share your location with your contacts , view locations nearby or those others have shared with you , and the like , and for diagnostics and troubleshooting purposes such as if you are having trouble with our app 's location features .
We receive information about you from other users and businesses .
For example , when other users or businesses you know use our Services , they may provide your phone number , name , and other information ( like information from their mobile address book or in the case of businesses , additional information about you such as unique identifiers ) , just as you may provide theirs , or they may send you a message , send messages to groups to which you belong , or call you .
We require each of these users and businesses to have lawful rights to collect , use , and share your information before providing any information to us .
Businesses you interact with using WhatsApp provide us information about their interactions with you .
We work with third-party service providers and the Facebook Companies to help us operate , provide , improve , understand , customize , support , and market our Services .
These companies may provide us information about you in certain circumstances ; for example , app stores may provide us reports to help us diagnose and fix service issues .
If you use our Services with such third-party services or Facebook Company Products , we may receive information about you from them ; for example , if you use the WhatsApp share button on a news service to share a news article with your WhatsApp contacts , groups , or broadcast lists on our Services , or if you choose to access our Services through a mobile carrier 's or device provider 's promotion of our Services .
We use the information we have ( subject to choices you make ) to operate , provide , improve , understand , customize , support , and market our Services .
We use the information we have to operate and provide our Services , including providing customer support , and improving , fixing , and customizing our Services .
We understand how people use our Services and analyze and use the information we have to evaluate and improve our Services , research , develop , and test new services and features , and conduct troubleshooting activities .
We also use your information to respond to you when you contact us .
We verify accounts and activity , and promote safety and security on and off our Services , such as by investigating suspicious activity or violations of our Terms , and to ensure our Services are being used legally .
We use the information we have to communicate with you about our Services and features and let you know about our terms and policies and other important updates .
We may provide you marketing for our Services and those of the Facebook Companies .
Messages you may receive containing marketing could include an offer for something that might interest you .
We do not want you to have a spammy experience ; as with all of your messages , you can manage these communications , and we will honor the choices you make .
We help businesses who use WhatsApp measure the effectiveness and distribution of their services and messages , and understand how people interact with them on our Services .
You share your information as you use and communicate through our Services , and we share your information to help us operate , provide , improve , understand , customize , support , and market our Services .
Your phone number , profile information , about information , last seen information , and receipts may be available to anyone who uses our Services , although you can configure your Services settings to manage certain information available to other users and businesses with whom you communicate .
Users and businesses with whom you communicate may store or reshare your information ( including your phone number or messages ) with others on and off our Services .
You can use your Services settings and the block feature in our Services to manage the users of our Services with whom you communicate and certain information you share .
We help businesses who use WhatsApp measure the effectiveness and distribution of their services and messages , and understand how people interact with them on our Services .
We work with third-party service providers and the Facebook Companies to help us operate , provide , improve , understand , customize , support , and market our Services .
When we share information with third-party service providers and the Facebook Companies in this capacity , we require them to use your information on our behalf in accordance with our instructions and terms .
When you use third-party services or Facebook Company Products that are integrated with our Services , they may receive information about what you share with them .
For example , if you use a data backup service integrated with our Services ( like iCloud or Google Drive ) , they will receive information you share with them .
If you interact with a third-party service linked through our Services , you may be providing information directly to such third party .
How We Work With Other Facebook Companies
As part of the Facebook Companies , WhatsApp receives information from , and shares information with , the Facebook Companies .
We may use the information we receive from them , and they may use the information we share with them , to help operate , provide , improve , understand , customize , support , and market our Services and their offerings .
This includes helping improve infrastructure and delivery systems , understanding how our Services or theirs are used , helping us provide a way for you to connect with businesses , and securing systems .
We also share information to fight spam , threats , abuse , or infringement activities and promote safety and security across the Facebook Company Products .
All of our rights and obligations under our Privacy Policy are freely assignable by us to any of our affiliates , in connection with a merger , acquisition , restructuring , or sale of assets , or by operation of law or otherwise , and we may transfer your information to any of our affiliates , successor entities , or new owner .
We collect , use , and share the information we have as described above :
consistent with your consent , which you can revoke at any time ;
as necessary to comply with our legal obligations ;
occasionally to protect your vital interests , or those of others ;
as necessary for our ( or others ' ) legitimate interests , including our interests in providing an innovative , relevant , safe , and profitable service to our users and partners , unless those interests are overridden by your interests or fundamental rights and freedoms that require protection of personal data .
Under the General Data Protection Regulation or other applicable local laws , you have the right to access , rectify , port , and erase your information , as well as the right to restrict and object to certain processing of your information .
This includes the right to object to our processing of your information for direct marketing and the right to object to our processing of your information where we are performing a task in the public interest or pursuing our legitimate interests or those of a third party .
You can access or port your information using our in-app Download My Data feature ( available under Settings > Account ) .
You can access tools to rectify , update , and erase your information directly in-app as described in the Managing and Deleting Your Information section .
If we process your information based on our legitimate interests or those of a third party , or in the public interest , you can object to this processing , and we will cease processing your information , unless the processing is based on compelling legitimate grounds or is needed for legal reasons .
You can also object to our processing of your information and learn more about your options for restricting the way we use your information by going here .
Where we use your information for direct marketing for our own Services , you can always object and opt out of future marketing messages using the unsubscribe link in such communications , or by using our in-app " Block " feature .
We store information until it is no longer necessary to provide our services , or until your account is deleted , whichever comes first .
This is a case-by-case determination that depends on things like the nature of the information , why it is collected and processed , and relevant legal or operational retention needs .
If you would like to manage , change , limit , or delete your information , we allow you to do that through the following tools :
You can change your Services settings to manage certain information available to other users .
You can manage your contacts , groups , and broadcast lists , or use our block feature to manage the users with whom you communicate .
Changing Your Mobile Phone Number , Profile Name And Picture , And About Information .
You must change your mobile phone number using our in-app change number feature and transfer your account to your new mobile phone number .
You can also change your profile name , profile picture , and about information at any time .
Be mindful that if you only delete our Services from your device without using our in-app delete my account feature , your information may be stored with us for a longer period .
We collect , use , preserve , and share your information if we have a good-faith belief that it is reasonably necessary to : ( a ) respond pursuant to applicable law or regulations , to legal process , or to government requests ; ( b ) enforce our Terms and any other applicable terms and policies , including for investigations of potential violations ; ( c ) detect , investigate , prevent , and address fraud and other illegal activity , security , or technical issues ; or ( d ) protect the rights , property , and safety of our users , WhatsApp , the Facebook Companies , or others , including to prevent death or imminent bodily harm .
WhatsApp Ireland shares information globally , both internally within the Facebook Companies , and externally with our partners and with those you communicate around the world in accordance with this Privacy Policy .
Information controlled by WhatsApp Ireland will be transferred or transmitted to , or stored and processed , in the United States or other countries outside of where you live for the purposes as described in this Privacy Policy .
These data transfers are necessary to provide the Services set forth in our Terms and globally to operate and provide our Services to you .
We utilize standard contract clauses approved by the European Commission , and may rely on the European Commission 's adequacy decisions about certain countries , as applicable , for data transfers from the European Economic Area to the United States and other countries .
WhatsApp Inc. shares information globally , both internally within the Facebook Companies , and externally with businesses , service providers , and partners and with those you communicate with around the world .
Your information may , for example , be transferred or transmitted to , or stored and processed in the United States or other countries outside of where you live for the purposes as described in this Privacy Policy .
We will notify you before we make changes to this Privacy Policy and give you the opportunity to review the revised Privacy Policy before you choose to continue using our Services .
The Data Protection Officer for WhatsApp Ireland can be contacted here .
If you have questions about our Privacy Policy , please contact us or write us here :
You have the right to lodge a complaint with WhatsApp Ireland 's lead supervisory authority , The Irish Data Protection Commissioner , or your local supervisory authority .
If you have questions about our Privacy Policy , please contact us or write us here :
You should know that no matter what legal basis applies , you always have the right to request access to , rectification of , and erasure of your data under the General Data Protection Regulation ( the " GDPR " ) .
To exercise your rights , see our Privacy Policy under How You Exercise Your Rights .
For all people who have legal capacity to enter into an enforceable contract , we process data as necessary to perform our contracts with you ( the Terms of Service , the " Terms " ) .
We describe the contractual services for which this data processing is necessary in Our Services section of the Terms and in the additional informational resources accessible from our Terms .
The core data uses necessary to provide our contractual services are :
To provide , improve , customize , and support our Services as described in " Our Services " ;
To transfer , transmit , store , or process your data outside the EEA , including to within the United States and other countries ; and
To communicate with you , for example , on Service-related issues .
To exercise your rights , visit How You Exercise Your Rights section of the Privacy Policy .
The other legal bases we rely on in certain instances when processing your data are :
For collecting and using information you allow us to receive through the device-based settings when you enable them ( such as access to your GPS location , camera , or photos ) , so we can provide the features and services described when you enable the settings .
When we process data you provide to us based on your consent , you have the right to withdraw your consent at any time and to port that data you provide to us , under the GDPR .
To exercise your rights , visit your device-based settings , your in app-based settings like your in-app location control , and the How You Exercise Your Rights section of the Privacy Policy .
For people under the age of majority ( under 18 , in most EU countries ) who have a limited ability to enter into an enforceable contract only , we may be unable to process personal data on the grounds of contractual necessity .
Nevertheless , when such a person uses our Services , it is in our legitimate interests :
To provide , improve , customize , and support our Services as described in Our Services ;
To communicate with you , for example , on Service-related issues .
The legitimate interests we rely on for this processing are :
To create , provide , support , and maintain innovative Services and features that enable people under the age of majority to express themselves , communicate , discover , and engage with information and businesses relevant to their interests , build community , and utilize tools and features that promote their well-being ;
To secure our platform and network , verify accounts and activity , combat harmful conduct , detect and prevent spam and other bad experiences , and keep our Services and all of the free of harmful or inappropriate content , and investigate suspicious activity or violations of our terms or policies and to protect the safety of people under the age of majority , including to prevent exploitation or other harms to which such individuals may be particularly vulnerable .
The legitimate interests we rely on for this processing are :
To provide accurate and reliable reporting to businesses and other partners , to ensure accurate pricing and statistics on performance , and to demonstrate the value our partners realise using our Services ; and
In the interests of businesses and other partners to help them understand their customers and improve their businesses , validate our pricing models , and evaluate the effectiveness and distribution of their services and messages , and understand how people interact with them on our Services .
The legitimate interests we rely on for this processing are :
To promote Facebook Company Products and issue direct marketing .
To share information with others including law enforcement and to respond to legal requests .
See our Privacy Policy under Law and Protection for more information .
The legitimate interests we rely on for this processing are :
To prevent and address fraud , unauthorised use of the Facebook Company Products , violations of our terms and policies , or other harmful or illegal activity ; to protect ourselves ( including our rights , property or Products ) , our users or others , including as part of investigations or regulatory inquiries ; or to prevent death or imminent bodily harm .
To share information with the Facebook Companies to promote safety and security .
See our Privacy Policy under " How We Work with Other Facebook Companies " for more information .
The legitimate interests we rely on for this processing are :
To secure systems and fight spam , threats , abuse , or infringement activities and promote safety and security across the Facebook Company Products .
You have the right to object to , and seek restriction of , such processing ; to exercise your rights , visit How You Exercise Your Rights section of the Privacy Policy .
For processing data when the law requires it , including , for example , if there is a valid legal request for certain data .
See our Privacy Policy under Law and Protection for more information .
Protection of your vital interests or those of another person :
The vital interests we rely on for this processing include protection of your life or physical integrity or that of others , and we rely on it to combat harmful conduct and promote safety and security , for example , when we are investigating reports of harmful conduct or when someone needs help .
Tasks carried out in the public interest :
For undertaking research and to promote safety and security , as described in more detail in our Privacy Policy under How We Use Information , where this is necessary in the public interest as laid down by European Union law or Member State law to which we are subject .
When we process your data as necessary for a task carried out in the public interest , you have the right to object to , and seek restriction of , our processing .
To exercise your rights , go to How You Exercise Your Rights section of the Privacy Policy .
WhatsApp may transfer data within the Facebook family of companies and to third parties , including service providers and other partners .