Channels Privacy Policy

Last Updated: 16 February 2024 (archived versions)

WhatsApp Channels Supplemental Privacy Policy

If you live in the United Kingdom, this WhatsApp Channels Supplemental Privacy Policy (“Channels Privacy Policy”) explains how we use your information when you use WhatsApp Channels (“Channels”). When we say “WhatsApp”, “our”, “we” or “us”, we are referring to “WhatsApp LLC”.

For users of our Services who agree to the Terms of Service, this Channels Privacy Policy supplements the WhatsApp Privacy Policy, which applies to the use of all our Services, including Channels. Any capitalised terms used but not defined in this Channels Privacy Policy have the meanings defined in the WhatsApp Privacy Policy. If there is any conflict between this Channels Privacy Policy and the WhatsApp Privacy Policy, this Channels Privacy Policy will apply solely with respect to WhatsApp’s use of your information when you use Channels.

The Supplemental Terms of Service for WhatsApp Channels and the WhatsApp Channels Guidelines apply to your use of Channels.

Key Updates

We’ve updated our Channels Privacy Policy to reduce the minimum age to use WhatsApp in the UK from 16 to 13. This ensures a consistent minimum age requirement for WhatsApp globally. Please refer here for privacy and safety information.

What does this Channels Privacy Policy cover?

Channels is an optional, one-way broadcasting feature within WhatsApp, separate from our private messaging services, that allows you to create a Channel (making you a Channel “Admin”) where you may share updates for others to view (Channel Updates). You can also view and react to Channel Updates, and follow particular Channels as a follower (“Follower”). Non-followers (“Viewers”) can also view and react to Channel Updates.

Channels are public, meaning that anyone can discover, follow, and view your Channel. Given the public nature and unlimited audience size of Channels, Channel Updates will be visible to any user and by WhatsApp. This also means that Channel Updates are among the information WhatsApp collects and uses to promote safety, security and integrity on Channels, as further described in this Channels Privacy Policy, the Supplemental Terms, and in the WhatsApp Channels Guidelines.

How does this affect my regular WhatsApp messages?

Importantly, your use of WhatsApp Channels does not impact the privacy of your WhatsApp personal messages, which continue to be end-to-end encrypted as described in the WhatsApp Privacy Policy.

Information We Collect for Channels

The WhatsApp Privacy Policy describes information we collect on our Services. When you use Channels, we also collect the below information which is supplemental to the categories of Information We Collect described in the WhatsApp Privacy Policy:

Information from and about Channel Admins

Information to Create a Channel. To create a Channel, Admins must provide a name for the Channel. If you do not provide a name for the Channel, you will not be able to create a Channel. Admins may also choose to add other information, such as a picture, description or links to third party sites.
Channel Updates. Channels are public, so we collect Channel Updates that Admins create or share, such as text, videos, photos, images, documents, links, gifs, stickers, audio content, polls, or other types of content in their Channel Updates for others to view.

Viewer and Follower Information

Followers, Viewers and other connections. We collect information about Followers and Viewers, such as their reactions, language choices, and the Channels they follow.

Information about All Channels Users

Usage Information. When you use Channels, we collect information about your activity on and use of Channels, including the content you view and how you react to Channel Updates and reactions by Followers and Viewers; the Channels features you use and how you use them, and date, time, frequency, and duration of your activities on Channels such as when you post Channel Updates or join a Channel and the searches you make in the directory.
Log and Troubleshooting information. We collect information about how Channels is performing when you use it, like service-related, diagnostic and performance information. This information includes log files, timestamps, diagnostic or crash data, Channels performance logs and error messages or reports.
User Reports. Users or third-parties can report to us your Channel or specific Channel Updates, for example, to report possible violations of our terms or policies or local law. When a report is made, we receive information about the reporting party and reported user(s) (e.g., Channel Admin), and other information that may help us in investigating the report, such as associated Channels or Channel Updates, user reactions and activity on Channels, and other information, such as the number of Followers who have muted a Channel, and other user reports or enforcement actions. To find out more, see our WhatsApp Channels Guidelines and Advanced Safety and Security Features.

How Channels Information is Shared

You share your information as you use Channels. We share Information We Collect for Channels to help us operate, provide, improve, understand and support Channels.

Channel information shared by Users

Public Information. Remember that Channel Updates and information Admins share on Channels is public and available to others. You should keep in mind that anybody can capture screenshots or make recordings of Channel Updates and reactions on Channels and send them to WhatsApp or anyone else, or share, export or upload them off our Services. If you are not saved as a phone number contact of the Admin of the Channel, your phone number will be hidden to the Admin. Following a Channel won’t reveal your phone number to the Admin or other Followers.
Channel Invites. You, or other users, can choose to share a link for other users to join a Channel. For example, if an Admin, Follower or Viewer shares a Channel invite, such as on Facebook or Instagram, Meta will receive the Channel name, description, picture and the number of followers of the Channel. Please note that when you use third-party services or other Meta Company Products, their own terms and privacy policies will govern your use of those services and products.

Channels information shared by WhatsApp

Information shared with Meta. We work with other Meta Companies that act as our service providers and help us operate, provide, improve, understand and support Channels. To receive these services we share the Information We Collect for Channels with the Meta Companies described in the How We Work With Other Meta Companies in the WhatsApp Privacy Policy.

We work with other Meta Companies to help us promote the safety, security, and integrity of Channels and our Services including to combat harmful conduct, protect users against bad or harmful experiences, detect and investigate suspicious activity or violations of our terms and policies, including our WhatsApp Channels Guidelines, and to ensure our Services, including Channels, are being used lawfully. In particular, we share Information We Collect for Channels with Meta Companies in the United States and Ireland to:
- review Channels and Channel Updates for violations of WhatsApp’s policies by using detection and measurement tools that leverage a combination of automated classifiers, content and behavioural signals, human review, and User Reports to proactively and reactively detect potentially violating content or use of Channels to ensure safety, security and integrity on our Services.
- assist with enforcement against Channels that have violated WhatsApp’s policies.
When we share information with other Meta Companies in this capacity, we require them to use your information on our behalf in accordance with our instructions and terms. For a list of the Meta Companies that currently act as our service providers, please click here.
Working With Authorities, Advisors And Industry Partners. We access and share the Information We Collect for Channels as described in the Working with Authorities, Advisors and Industry Partners section of the WhatsApp Privacy Policy.

How and Why We Process Information and Our Legal Basis For Processing

We rely on different legal bases to process your information for the various purposes described in this Channels Privacy Policy. For each legal basis below, we describe the purposes of our processing (why we process your information) and our processing operations (how we process your information to achieve each purpose). We also list the categories of your information that we process for each purpose. These categories are described above in the Information We Collect for Channels section and the Information We Collect section of the WhatsApp Privacy Policy.

You also have particular rights available to you depending on which legal basis we use. 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 information. To exercise your rights, see the How to Exercise Your Data Subject Rights section.

Processing necessary to perform our contract with you

For all users who have the legal capacity to enter into an enforceable contract (for example, by being the age of majority or above in their country of residence), we process information as necessary to conclude and perform the Supplemental Terms of Service.

The categories of information used and why and how they are processed, are set out below:

How and Why We Process Your Information	Information Categories Used
To generally operate and provide Channels, we: Enable WhatsApp users to use Channels such as by creating a Channel, share, edit or remove Channel Updates, follow or mute a Channel, and allow users to view, forward or react to Channel Updates. Allow Admins to edit a Channel profile by changing the Channel name, picture, or description. Admins can also request that WhatsApp verify their Channel or invite other users to become an Admin of a Channel. Generate Channel related information for Admins, including Channel Update views and reactions to Channel Updates (such as reactions to Channel Updates or responses to polls). Admins will also be able to see which of their saved WhatsApp contacts have chosen to follow their Channel, alongside the profile name and photo of non-contacts (depending on their privacy settings) who have followed their Channel. Delete a Channel at an Admin’s request. Analyse log information to resolve crashes and user issues and collect information for troubleshooting, diagnostics and debugging issues related to Channels. Collect and aggregate activity, system events and metrics (such as latencies) to monitor service performance, reliability, and efficiency of Channels, so we can ensure and optimise service quality. Test out and experiment with new features on Channels to see if they work as expected. Keep a log about Channel-related notifications and updates you receive. For example, we keep a record about when you accepted the Supplemental Terms of Service for WhatsApp Channels.	Information to Create a Channel Channel Updates Followers, Viewers and other connections Usage Information Log and Troubleshooting Information Your Account Information General Location Information Customer Support Information And Other Communications
To enable users to find, view and follow Channels: Create and maintain a Channel Directory (with Channel categories) for users to search for Channels. Display other Channels that are related to the Channel a user is viewing. Recommend Channels to users based on their General Location Information (e.g country) and language preference, and allow users to browse the Channel list of categories. Create links to a Channel or Channel Updates which users can share, for example to their WhatsApp Status or on other third-party platforms. Generate and validate metrics to understand how and how often Channels are used, in order to inform and improve product direction and development and forecast future adoption of Channels or features. Analyse metrics about Channels (like the number of followers, reactions and frequency of updates), including by using automated processing techniques, to improve the results, categories and recommendations displayed to a user. Log Channels search queries in and use automated processing techniques to improve the directory and search recommendations.	Information to Create a Channel Channel Updates Followers, Viewers and other connections Usage Information Log and Troubleshooting Information Your Account Information Device and Connection Information General Location Information
To ensure safety, security, and integrity of Channels. We use information we have and apply automated data processing techniques and, in some instances, conduct manual (human) review to:: Detect and investigate suspicious activity by users or threats to the security of Channels. Investigate and address violations of our terms and policies, including our WhatsApp Channel Guidelines. For example, we may hide or suspend your Channel when we learn that you are engaged in infringing activities. If your account is banned from WhatsApp, the Channel associated with your account will be deleted. Detect, prevent and combat harmful or unlawful behaviour which threatens the security of our users' information, Channels or the WhatsApp service.	Information to Create a Channel Channel Updates Followers, Viewers and other connections Usage Information Log and Troubleshooting Information User Reports Information We Collect

Protection Of Your Vital Interests Or Those Of Another Person

How and Why we Process Your Information

Information Categories Used

The actual information used depends on the factual circumstances, but could include any of the following:

For protecting your vital interests or those of another person.

We apply automated processing techniques, conduct manual (human) review and share information with law enforcement in circumstances where someone’s vital interests require protection, such as in the case of emergencies. These vital interests include protection of your or someone else’s life, physical or mental health, wellbeing or integrity or that of others.

In protecting such vital interests we aim to combat harmful conduct and promote safety, integrity and security. For example, we compare Information to Create a Channel and Channel Updates against a database of known hashed child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and use a combination of automated processing techniques and human review to detect previously unknown CSAM. If we detect apparent CSAM, we report it to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (learn more about how we work to help fight child exploitation here).

Information to Create a Channel
Channel Updates
Followers, Viewers and other connections
Usage Information
Log and Troubleshooting Information
User Reports
Information We Collect

Legitimate Interests

We rely on our legitimate interests or the legitimate interests of a third-party, such as our users, where they are not outweighed by your interests or fundamental rights and freedoms ("legitimate interests"):

Why And How We Process Your Information	Legitimate Interests Relied On	Information Categories Used
For users under the age of majority (under 18, in most applicable countries) who have a limited ability to enter into an enforceable contract only, where we may be unable to process your information on the grounds of contractual necessity.
To generally operate and provide Channels, we: Enable WhatsApp users to use Channels such as by creating a Channel, share, edit or remove Channel Updates, follow or mute a Channel, and allow users to view, forward or react to Channel Updates. Allow Admins to edit a Channel profile by changing the Channel name, picture, or description. Admins can also request that WhatsApp verify their Channel or invite other users to become an Admin of a Channel. Generate Channel related information for Admins, including Channel Update views and reactions to Channel Updates (such as reactions to Channel Updates or responses to polls). Admins will also be able to see which of their saved WhatsApp contacts have chosen to follow their Channel, alongside the profile name and photo of non-contacts (depending on their privacy settings) who have followed their Channel. Delete a Channel at an Admin’s request. Analyse log information to resolve crashes and user issues and collect information for troubleshooting, diagnostics and debugging issues related to Channels. Collect and aggregate activity, system events and metrics (such as latencies) to monitor service performance, reliability, and efficiency of Channels, so we can ensure and optimise service quality. Test out and experiment with new features on Channels to see if they work as expected. Keep a log about Channel-related notifications and updates you receive. For example, we keep a record about when you accepted the Supplemental Terms of Service for WhatsApp Channels.	It is in our interest and in the interests of all WhatsApp users (under the age of majority) to enable them to create and manage a Channel to express themselves, and to maintain a reliable service.	Information to Create a Channel Channel Updates Followers, Viewers and other connections Usage Information Log and Troubleshooting Information Your Account Information General Location Information Customer Support Information And Other Communications
To enable users to find, view and follow Channels: Create and maintain a Channel Directory (with Channel categories) for users to search for Channels. Display other Channels that are related to the Channel a user is viewing. Recommend Channels to users based on their General Location Information (e.g country) and language preference, and allow users to browse the Channel list of categories. Create links to a Channel or Channel Updates which users can share, for example to their WhatsApp Status or on other third-party platforms. Generate and validate metrics to understand how and how often Channels are used, in order to inform and improve product direction and development and forecast future adoption of Channels or features. Analyse metrics about Channels (like the number of followers, reactions and frequency of updates), including by using automated processing techniques, to improve the results, categories and recommendations displayed to a user. Log Channels search queries in and use automated processing techniques to improve the directory and search recommendations.	It is in our interest and in the interests of all WhatsApp users (under the age of majority) to help them discover, share and engage with Channels that they find relevant. It is in our interest and in the interest of users to evaluate the use of the services and adoption of new features to inform the development of future features and improve product direction and development, including recommendations in the Channels Directory.	Information to Create a Channel Channel Updates Usage Information Log and Troubleshooting Information General Location Information
To enable users to find, view and follow Channels: We use information we have and apply automated data processing techniques and, in some instances, conduct manual (human) review to: Detect and investigate suspicious activity by users or threats to the security of Channels. Investigate and address violations of our terms and policies, including our WhatsApp Channel Guidelines. For example, we may hide or suspend your Channel when we learn that you are engaged in infringing activities. If your account is banned from WhatsApp, the Channel associated with your account will be deleted. Detect, prevent and combat harmful or unlawful behaviour which threatens the security of our users' information, Channels or the WhatsApp service.	It is in our interest and in the interests of all WhatsApp users (under the age of majority) to secure Channels, WhatsApp systems, user's accounts, and detect and investigate threats, infringement, harmful or unlawful activities and promote safety, integrity and security. It is also in our interest to ensure Channels and our Services are used in accordance with the terms and policies.	Information to Create a Channel Channel Updates Followers, Viewers and other connections Usage Information Log and Troubleshooting Information User Reports Information We Collect
For all users of our Services including users under the age of majority:
Business intelligence and analytics: to understand usage of Channels we analyse how users interact and search for Channels.	In our interest to measure the use of Channels in order to inform and improve business decisions related to Channels and the wider WhatsApp Service such as to inform the development of future features and product direction and development.	Information to Create a Channel Channel Updates Usage Information Log and Troubleshooting Information Your Account Information Your Community & Group Information Device and Connection Information General Location Information
To promote safety, integrity and security outside of the performance of our contract with you. We use information we have and apply automated data processing techniques and, in some instances, conduct manual (human) review to: detect, prevent and combat unlawful behaviour on Channels, such as by reviewing Channel Updates to determine if they infringe our terms, policies or WhatsApp Channel Guidelines and notifying Admins about infringing Channel Updates and, in some instances, removing access to content and / or suspending the Channel. log User Reports, aggregated events and actions to identify and understand the techniques being used by the bad actors that may interfere with Channels or the Service, including your use of Channels.	It is in our interest and in the interest of Channel users to secure our systems, user's accounts, and fight threats, abuse, or infringement activities and promote safety, integrity and security on Channels and the Services. It is also in our interest to ensure our Services are used in accordance with the terms. It is in our interest to ensure Channels are used in accordance with the terms and policies.	Information to Create a Channel Channel Updates Usage Information Log and Troubleshooting Information User Reports Your Account Information

How to Exercise your Data Subject Rights

You can find information about how you can exercise your rights under applicable data protection laws in the WhatsApp Privacy Policy under "How To Exercise Your Rights" section. You can access or port your Channels information using our in-app Request Channel Info feature (available under Settings>Account).

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office.

Managing And Retaining Your Channels Information

Retention of Information Collected for Channels. We store Information We Collect for Channels for as long as necessary for the purposes identified in this Channels Privacy Policy, and the WhatsApp Privacy Policy, including to provide Channels or for other legitimate purposes, such as enforcing and preventing violations of our terms and policies. The storage periods are determined on a case-by-case basis that depends on factors like the nature of the information, why it is collected and processed.

For example, in the ordinary course of providing Channels, we store:
- Channel Updates on our servers for up to 30 days.
- Channel Updates may remain on Viewers’ or Followers’ devices for a longer period, though we may provide options for Channel Updates to disappear faster, for example after 7 days or 24 hours should Admins choose; and
- Information to Create a Channel is retained until a Channel is deleted.
In certain cases, we need to keep your information for longer for legal reasons such as issues relating to the safety, security and integrity of Channels or our Services. See Retention of Your Information in the WhatsApp Privacy Policy for more information on the legal reasons we may need to keep your information for longer.
Deleting your Channel. If you are an Admin, deleting your Channel removes the Channel and Channel Updates from the Updates tab in your app at which point it is no longer accessible to other users through Channels. Note that for technical reasons it takes up to 90 days from the beginning of the deletion process to delete or de-identify your Channels information.
Please remember that when you delete your Channel, it does not affect Channel information and content that other users may continue to have, such as a copy of the Channel Updates saved locally on their device or that has been forwarded to other users or shared off our Services.

For more information on what happens to your information when you delete it on WhatsApp, see Deleting Your Information in the WhatsApp Privacy Policy.
Information We Retain After your Channel is Deleted. We may also retain some of your information as needed after you have deleted your Channel for things like compliance with legal obligations, violations of our terms and policies, or harm prevention efforts. See the Deleting Your Information section of the WhatsApp Privacy Policy for more details on why information may be retained.
Removing Channel Updates. Channel Admins can remove Channel Updates up to 30 days after posting.

Transferring Channels information to Other Countries

WhatsApp shares information described in the Information We Collect for Channels section globally. You can find information about why and how we safeguard your information in the Transferring Information to Other Countries section of the WhatsApp Privacy Policy.

Updates To Our Policy

We may amend or update this Channels Privacy Policy. We will provide you notice of amendments or updates as appropriate, and update the “Last Updated” date at the top. Please review our Channels Privacy Policy from time to time.

Contact Us

If you have questions about this Channels Privacy Policy, please see the Contact Us section of the Privacy Policy.

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