You need to read the fine print of the 'creepy' WhatsApp - Facebook data sharing deal

How WhatsApp's evolution affects you

The part of the updated policy that affects users the most is the fact that WhatsApp plans to share contacts with Facebook. There is also a possibility of WhatsApp unveiling a bulk messaging option in the future, given its enormous reach.

"New ways to use WhatsApp. We will explore ways for you and businesses to communicate with each other using WhatsApp, such as through order, transaction, and appointment information, delivery and shipping notifications, product and service updates, and marketing. For example, you may receive flight status information for upcoming travel, a receipt for something you purchased, or a notification when a delivery will be made. 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," the blogpost reads.

WhatsApp's no-ads policy, which has been a characteristic feature of the popular app, has been a matter of intense speculation over the years. The app was initially launched on iOS as a paid app, then went for a freemium model, charging a minimal fee each year. As of 2016, the application can be used free of cost.

"Commercial Messaging. We will allow you and third parties, like businesses, to communicate with each other using WhatsApp, such as through order, transaction, and appointment information, delivery and shipping notifications, product and service updates, and marketing. For example, you may receive flight status information for upcoming travel, a receipt for something you purchased, or a notification when a delivery will be made. 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," the WhatsApp post reads.

This means that you may soon receive a WhatsApp notification from your airlines telling you about a delay in your flight. Your bank may use WhatsApp to inform you about your credit card statement.

In 2009, the WhatsApp policy - as written by founder Jan Koum - read as follows: "We have not, we do not, and we will not ever sell your personal information to anyone. Period. End of story".

By 2012, the policy evolved. "We do not use your mobile phone number or other Personally Identifiable Information to send commercial or marketing messages without your consent or except as part of a specific program or feature for which you will have the ability to opt-in or opt-out," it then read.

In a paradigm shift, the policy now reads: "We will explore ways for you and businesses to communicate with each other using WhatsApp."

All the policy updates that WhatsApp has now rolled out fall well within the standard legal norms.

WhatsApp assures users that it will not share its messages with Facebook. (remember end-to-end encryption?).

If you're worrying about the privacy red flags in the new policy, then fret not. You can opt out of it all.

How to stop WhatsApp from sharing your data

There are two main ways of opting out of the new data sharing deal:

1) Use the pop up to click 'Read More'.

Untick the box that reads "Share my WhatsApp account information with Facebook".

2) If you have already accepted the new term, you have 30 days to opt out. Find the account tab on your WhatsApp settings menu. Use the "share my account info" button to mark your preference.