WhatsApp allow Users to see Data it Collects from them : How to Download and View

Hello everybody, This is Tanweer. Today i have interesting Tech News related to WhatsApp which is allowing users to download and view the data that the WhatsApp has collected on them.  WhatsApp updated their privacy policies to meet EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) guidelines. This move is again to adhere to the regulations of the GDPR.

• See More : WhatsApp Raises Minimum Age In Europe To 16
• See More : How To Track Location Of People On WhatsApp
• See More : How to Download WhatsApp Beta on Android

As we all know that WhatsApp is one of the world’s most popular messaging apps which is owned by Facebook Inc, is announcing this feature ahead of the European data privacy rules (GDPR) that go into effect 25 May, as well as in the wake of the Cambridge Analytica scandal.

Facebook already allows users to download their data. Now WhatsApp allows you to request and export a report of your WhatsApp account settings and information, including your contacts, profile photo, and group names. The Request Account Info feature is now available for Android beta users, and this will be rolling out to all users around the world on the newest version of the WhatsApp.

Android Beta Useres

This latest WhatsApp feature is now rolling out to Android beta users. WhatsApp has submitted a new update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to v2.18.128. To use the feature, you need to be a WhatsApp beta tester and have the updated WhatsApp v2.18.128 installed on the smartphone.

NOTE : If you are looking to join the WhatsApp beta, Click here to follow the following steps.

• See More : How to Download WhatsApp Beta on Android

When can you request for your WhatsApp data report ?

This feature, called Request Account Info, will be rolling out to all users around the world on the newest version of the WhatsApp. In April 2018, WhatsApp announced that, in the coming weeks, you will be able to see and download your WhatsApp account settings and information.

How to request your WhatsApp data report ?

STEP 1) First of all Make sure that you are running the latest version of WhatsApp and Download WhatsApp Beta on your Android Smartphone. Click Here to know How to Download WhatsApp Beta on Android

STEP 2) Open the [ WhatsApp ] app and then go to [ Settings ]. It is available in the three dotted menu button at the top right corner.

STEP 3) Here you have to click on [ Account ]

STEP 4) Now you have to  click on [ Request account info ]

STEP 5) Finally tap on the [ Request report ] button. Once clicked, the screen should update to Request sent.

Here Your report will be available about three days after the date requested. Sometimes you may receive your report within 1-2 hour, Users can refer to the Ready by date when waiting for their report. When your report is available, you will receive the following notification on your smartphone that Your account info report is ready to download.

NOTE : When your report is available, The Request account info screen in the app will tell you how much time you have to download the report before it is deleted from WhatsApp’s servers.

How to download your WhatsApp data report ?

STEP 1) Again you have to open the [ WhatsApp ] app and then go to [ Settings ]. Here you have to click on [ Account ]. Now you have to  click on [ Request account info ]

STEP 2) Go to [ Download report ].

This will automatically download a ZIP file in your handset. Once the file is downloaded to your phone, select Export report.

NOTE : You are unable to view the downloaded report within WhatsApp itself. You will have to export the report to a third party app. Here for instance, you can email a copy of the report to yourself. The file contains an HTML file that is easy to read and a JSON file that can be ported to another app.

CONCLUSION : WhatsApp is allowing users to download and view the data it collects in compliance with new EU data privacy rules. It gives its citizens the right to the right to know what data is stored on them and will force companies to delete personal data on user’s request. The Request Account Info feature is now available for Android beta users, and will be rolling out to all users around the world on the newest version of the WhatsApp.