Is WhatsApp GDPR compliant? WhatsApp privacy in the spotlight [Update 2024!]

In today's digital age, privacy and data protection have become increasingly important for businesses and individuals alike. With the implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in 2018, companies operating within the European Union (EU) were required to take steps to protect consumer data and ensure compliance with the law. This has led businesses to question whether popular communication channels, such as WhatsApp, are GDPR compliant. In this article, we will explore the relationship between WhatsApp and GDPR, discuss the responsibilities of businesses using the platform, and provide insights into ensuring GDPR compliance on WhatsApp.

In this video I explain why the use of WhatsApp Business Platform is GDPR-Compliant

Comparison between WhatsApp Private App, WhatsApp Business App and WhatsApp Business Platform

In order to sufficiently explore the GDPR compliance of WhatsApp, awareness of "the three WhatsApps" must first be raised. Only when the fundamental difference between

• WhatsApp Private App
• WhatsApp Business App
• WhatsApp Business Platform

is understood, the GDPR compliance of "WhatsApp" can be discussed and argued at a professional level. Here is an overview of the GDPR-related technical differences between the three versions of WhatsApp:

You can already see from this overview, that both the "WhatsApp Private" and "WhatsApp Business" versions of WhatsApp are missing some fundamental aspects of the GDPR and its regulatory requirements. No company that wants to fulfil its data protection obligations seriously will therefore want to - and consider or tolerate to - communicate with stakeholders or end customers via one of the two "app versions" of WhatsApp.

Understanding GDPR

Before delving into the specifics of GDPR compliance on WhatsApp, let's first understand what GDPR is and why it was implemented. The General Data Protection Regulation is a comprehensive data protection law introduced by the European Union to safeguard the personal data of EU citizens. Its primary objective is to ensure that individuals have control over their personal data and that businesses handle this data responsibly and transparently.

According to the European Commission, GDPR applies to any individual, company, or organization that processes the personal data of individuals in the EU. This means that businesses based in the EU, as well as those outside the EU that offer goods or services to EU citizens or monitor their behavior, must comply with GDPR regulations. Non-EU businesses processing EU citizens' data are also required to appoint a representative in the EU.

GDPR Compliance for Businesses

To comply with GDPR, businesses need to adhere to a set of principles outlined by the regulation. These principles include:

• Lawfulness, fairness, and transparency
• Purpose limitation
• Data minimization
• Accuracy
• Storage limitation
• Integrity and confidentiality
• Accountability

These principles guide businesses in creating their data privacy policies and ensure that personal data is handled in a responsible and secure manner.

WhatsApp is a GDPR compliant WhatsApp sales engine. Chatarmin, Q4, 2023

Source: Chatarmin Youtube

WhatsApp and GDPR: A New Challenge

As businesses increasingly rely on WhatsApp as a communication channel, it is crucial to understand how GDPR applies to this platform. When businesses use WhatsApp for marketing or customer engagement purposes, they collect personal data such as phone numbers, names, and potentially more detailed information about individuals. As a result, GDPR data protection rules also apply to WhatsApp, just as they do to other communication channels like email and SMS.

Whether businesses use the WhatsApp Business app or the WhatsApp Business Platform (API), the principles of GDPR compliance remain the same. However, there are some differences in how these two options handle GDPR compliance.

WhatsApp Business App

The WhatsApp Business app is designed for small businesses or individuals who communicate with a limited number of people. While using the app, businesses must handle consent manually and ensure that data is stored securely and handled responsibly. Although complying with GDPR on the app may require more manual work, businesses can still achieve GDPR compliance by following the principles outlined by the regulation.

WhatsApp Business Platform (API)

The WhatsApp Business Platform (API) is a more robust solution for larger businesses that send messages to a larger audience. It offers automation capabilities, allowing businesses to set up automatic flows that keep their WhatsApp communications GDPR compliant, such as double opt-in welcome flows. The API also enables businesses to store consent information automatically and make data easily accessible. Data storage is also safer with the API, as businesses can choose to store customer data in EU servers to ensure GDPR compliance. However, it's important to note that using the "on-premises" API and storing data outside the EU may breach GDPR regulations.

Ensuring GDPR Compliance on WhatsApp

While WhatsApp provides the platform for businesses to communicate with their customers, it is ultimately the responsibility of businesses to ensure GDPR compliance. Here are some key steps businesses can take to ensure GDPR compliance on WhatsApp:

• Obtain proper consent: Ensure you have the necessary permissions from users before you engage them on WhatsApp.
• Provide easy opt-outs: Users should have the ability to opt-out of your communications easily.
• Handle data responsibly: Protect the personal data of your users and use it in a responsible manner.
• Be transparent: Be clear with your users about how you're using their data.
• Assess data retention periods: Regularly review how long you're retaining personal data, and ensure it's not kept longer than necessary.
• Train employees: Make sure your team understands the principles of GDPR and how to handle personal data.
• Work with GDPR-compliant partners: If you work with third parties, ensure they're also adhering to GDPR.
• Offer full data transparency to end users at any time: Users should be able to access the personal data you hold about them.
• Offer to delete full data track record on customers’ requests, anytime: If a user requests it, you should be able to delete their personal data.
• Store customer data on permanent storage, at least for the legally required timeframes: Make sure you're securely storing customer data for the minimum required time periods.

By following these steps, businesses can enhance their GDPR compliance on WhatsApp and build trust with their customers.

The Importance of GDPR Compliance

While GDPR compliance may seem like an additional burden for businesses, it is crucial for protecting personal data and maintaining the trust of customers. GDPR ensures that individuals have control over their personal information and how it is used by businesses. Compliance with GDPR not only helps businesses avoid hefty fines but also establishes a positive reputation for data privacy and security.

Moreover, GDPR compliance is not limited to businesses operating within the EU. It is increasingly becoming a global standard for data protection, and customers worldwide expect businesses to treat their data with the same level of respect and responsibility as GDPR ensures in the EU.

Conclusion

In conclusion, businesses using WhatsApp must ensure GDPR compliance to protect the personal data of their customers. Whether using the WhatsApp Business app or the WhatsApp Business Platform (API), businesses should obtain proper consent, handle data responsibly, and provide easy opt-out options. It is essential for businesses to understand their responsibilities under GDPR and work towards maintaining compliance on WhatsApp. By doing so, businesses can build trust with their customers, protect personal data, and uphold the principles of data privacy in the digital age.

Remember, while this article provides insights into GDPR compliance on WhatsApp, it should not be considered legal advice. For full information on your legal obligations under GDPR, consult the official GDPR site provided by the European Commission.

Request further information on why and how the WhatsApp Business API fulfills GDPR compliance, simply by messaging us here.

Bonus Addendum: Situation in Switzerland

As of September 1, 2023, the new data protection law came into force in Switzerland. Currently, there is no valid adequacy decision between Switzerland and the US. This means that Swiss companies wishing to transfer data to the US must conclude standard contractual clauses to ensure the permissibility of the data transfer.

Note on the legal situation within the EU: However, since July 2023, a new adequacy decision has been issued for the USA in the form of the Data Privacy Framework. This decision allows for a GDPR-compliant transfer of personal data to the US. The list previously assigned to the Privacy Shield was updated accordingly and adapted to the new framework.

Certifications have been obtained from both WhatsApp LLC and Meta Platforms Inc. and are currently valid. It is expected that a new adequacy decision for Switzerland will also be available in the coming months. A list of countries for which an adequacy decision exists can be found here1 in Appendix 1.

The use of chatarmin is DPA compliant, provided certain measures are taken:

• Concluding standard contractual clauses with WhatsApp LLC.
• Obtaining consent for communication via WhatsApp. chatarmin enables a double opt-in procedure and logs the consent given by users.
• Any profiling must be covered by consent.
• Transparent information to users about the processing of their data.
• Chatarmin provides an order processing contract that specifies the specific data protection obligations and responsibilities.