WhatsApp Avatars Features Privacy Notice
Effective July 14, 2023
This WhatsApp Avatars Features Privacy Notice applies if you opt in to these avatars features. It explains how we use and protect your information in order to generate recommended avatars and support avatar calling, and supplements the
Recommended Avatars
The recommended avatars feature enables WhatsApp, LLC to quickly recommend avatars to you using a photo of yourself that you capture and submit when creating your avatar. If you choose to use the recommended avatars feature, you will need to agree to this privacy notice.
Information used to provide the recommended avatars feature
In order for WhatsApp to recommend avatars inspired by your appearance, we analyze your photo to estimate the location of parts of your face, like your eyes, nose and mouth, and specific points on the contours of those parts of your face ("estimated facial points"). We also analyze your photo to detect the approximate size, shape and color pigment of certain areas of your face ("predicted facial attributes"). Our technology then uses your estimated facial points and predicted facial attributes to create avatars inspired by you, which WhatsApp then recommends to you. If you choose to, you can use the avatar editor tool to customize the recommended avatars before selecting your final avatar. None of this information is used to identify you, and it will be used for the sole purpose of recommending avatars inspired by you.
Once you select your final avatar, your photo, estimated facial points, predicted facial attributes, and recommended avatars will begin being processed for deletion immediately. The full deletion process may take up to 14 days to complete.
Subject to WhatsApp's privacy policy, your final avatar will be stored by WhatsApp and on your device so that you can use it for interactive digital experiences on WhatsApp. Once your final avatar has been created, you can delete it at any time by clicking “Delete Avatar” in your WhatsApp avatar settings. Your final avatar will also be automatically deleted if you delete your WhatsApp account.
Avatar Calling
The avatar calling feature enables you to participate in WhatsApp video calls as your personal avatar. Avatar calling is an augmented reality feature that replaces your video with your live avatar.
Information used to provide the avatar calling feature
If you choose to use avatar calling, we need to ensure that your avatar appears where you would be in the video and that it displays your facial expressions and movements in real time (camera effects).
To facilitate avatar calling, WhatsApp will estimate the location of parts of your face (like your eyes, nose or mouth) and specific points on the contours of those parts of your face ("estimated facial points"). We will apply these estimated facial points to a generic model of a face and adjust it to mimic your facial expressions and movements.
This information is not used to identify you. It is used only to provide the avatar calling feature during your video calls. When you stop using the feature or the video call ends, we will stop processing this information. We don’t store this information or share it with third parties.
Subject to WhatsApp's privacy policy, your avatar will be stored by WhatsApp and on your device so that it can be used for avatar calling. You can delete it at any time by clicking “Delete Avatar” in your WhatsApp avatar settings. Your avatar will also be automatically deleted if you delete your WhatsApp account.
Additional information for US residents
The avatar calling feature is controlled by the camera effects setting. Pursuant to applicable laws, to turn on avatar calling, you will need to agree to this privacy notice, which will turn on the camera effects setting. You can turn off your camera effects setting in your WhatsApp privacy settings at any time. If the setting is turned off, avatar calling will not be available, but you will still have access to all other WhatsApp features.
When you use avatar calling, we may process information from images of other people who appear on your end of the video call. By turning on avatar calling and the camera effects setting, you agree that you will only use the feature if all of the people who appear in your video also have the camera effects setting turned on in their WhatsApp accounts, or you are their legally authorized representative and consent to the terms of this notice on their behalf.