Tag: terms
WhatsApp will make it easier to reject updates to its terms of service
WhatsApp has come to an agreement with the European Union following the controversy over its early 2021 privacy policy change. After discussions with the European Commission and EU consumer protection regulators, WhatsApp will make it easier for users to reject updates to the terms of service. The Meta-owned brand will also “clearly explain” when rejecting those terms will limit use of services, the Commission says. People can also dismiss notifications about these updates, and delay reviewing those updates.
The company further confirmed that it’s not sharing personal data with other Meta brands, including Facebook, for the sake of advertising. It also isn’t sharing that data with third-parties, the Commission says.
WhatsApp sparked an outcry at the start of 2021 when it asked users to share data like connection info and transactions with sibling brands like Facebook as part of its new privacy policy. While little changed for users, some interpreted this as a sign WhatsApp was sharing messages and calls with Facebook. That prompted a mass exodus to competing secure messaging services like Signal and Telegram. WhatsApp tried to reassure users that it couldn’t access the end-to-end encrypted conversations, but the backlash led the company to pause the policy rollout. When it did reintroduce the new terms, it added clarifications but warned that the service would gradually stop working unless users agreed to the terms.
The European Commission got involved in January last year, when it responded to unfair practice allegations by asking WhatsApp to better explain how it uses people’s data. Last June, it also asked WhatsApp to more clearly explain its business model and whether or not it profited from personal data.
We’ve asked Meta for comment. The Commission’s Consumer Protection Cooperation Network plans to “actively monitor” WhatsApp’s application of these promises with future policy updates. Any violations could prompt fines and other penalties. The chat giant also isn’t the only one facing scrutiny. The Commission says it’s continuing to look for “dark patterns,” or attempts to unfairly push users into accepting subscriptions, policy changes or other unwanted features. Don’t be surprised if there are more agreements like WhatsApp’s in the near future.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/whatsapp-will-make-it-easier-to-reject-updates-to-its-terms-of-service-151007438.html?src=rss
Microsoft And Sony “Not Close” To Agreeing To Terms For Call Of Duty Deal – Report
Microsoft has reached a 10-year deal with Nintendo to put Call of Duty on Nintendo platforms if the Xbox company succeeds in its attempt to buy Activision Blizzard. However, it appears Microsoft and Sony are still at odds for a similar deal.
According to GI.biz’s sources, a deal between the two companies is “not close.” Microsoft president Brad Smith said at a meeting with regulators in Brussels this week, “We haven’t agreed [to] a deal with Sony, but I hope we will,” according to the site. Smith reportedly had a piece of paper in his pocket that contained the terms of the deal to demonstrate that Microsoft is ready to make a deal with Sony.
Smith added that Sony can continue to spend time and resources trying to block the deal from happening or it can come to the bargaining table and try to hammer out a deal. As of yet, that reportedly has not happened, though we may never know the nature of extent of talks that happen behind closed doors, off the record, and via back channels.
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Apple Says iCloud Terms Can Be Accepted on Web After Viral Tweet
Apple says customers who do not have an iPhone running iOS 16 or later or an iPad running iPadOS 16 or later can accept the new terms and conditions on the iCloud.com website. The support document outlines the steps to take:
1. Go to iCloud.com, then sign in with your Apple ID.
2. If necessary, follow the prompts to review and update your account settings.
3. Review and agree to iCloud Terms and Conditions.
Last month, a Google employee named Chris Koch said he was unable to accept the new iCloud terms and conditions for his Apple TV since he did not own an iPhone, iPad, or any other Apple device. He noted that he tried signing into iCloud.com at the time, but said he was not prompted to accept any new terms and conditions on the website.
I own an Apple TV.
I own not a single other Apple device. Not one.
Every time I start the Apple TV I get this prompt now. @Apple what do you expect me to do about this? pic.twitter.com/CsNaTNNIHp
— chris @c@pub.waffle.tech (@hugelgupf) January 16, 2023
While it’s a simple workaround, Apple evidently felt this issue was worth addressing in a support document after Koch’s tweet received nearly one million views. In a follow-up tweet, Koch said signing out of his Apple ID account under Settings → Users and Accounts → [Name] → iCloud and then signing back in led him to be prompted to accept the new iCloud terms and conditions directly on his Apple TV, with no other device needed.
This article, “Apple Says iCloud Terms Can Be Accepted on Web After Viral Tweet” first appeared on MacRumors.com
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