by Lufuno Khorommbi

In the second of my series of articles on the Fundamentals of WhatsApp Updated Privacy Policy (read Part 1), we look at possible alternatives that WhatsApp users can migrate to, and what that migration might entail.

Are there alternatives that WhatsApp users can migrate to?

There are number of alternatives. However, two of the free Apps that users can consider, depending on the users’ requirements are Telegram and Signal. In his article published on howtogeek.com, Chris Hoffman wrote, “both Telegram and Signal are on top of the app store charts. Both chat apps promise more privacy than WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and SMS. Both Signal and Telegram are chat apps with all the standard features, from stickers to photo and file transfers to voice and video calls. Signal and Telegram both offer apps for iPhone, iPad, and Android… A phone number is all you need to sign up for either. Both offer optional desktop apps so that you can chat on a Windows PC, Mac, or Linux system, giving you the option to chat on your computer with its full keyboard.”

Though there are similarities, there are also differences that users should take note of. In his article published on fossbytes.com, Charanjeet Singh noted the differences between the two Apps. “…it’s safe to say that Signal is the most private messaging app here. Signal makes no attempt to identify you or your account whereas Telegram can with the help of User ID. That being said, Telegram is also quite privacy-focused if you’d compare it to many other messenger apps. Signal and Telegram both have a ton of features; however, comparing the two, Telegram has the upper hand in features.”

Migrating from WhatsApp to its alternatives would imply users’ unwillingness to continue using the App under the updated terms and conditions. Ultimately, it would be prudent for users who are migrating from WhatsApp to delete the App from their devices.

How to delete the account permanently from my phone?

Users must delete the account from within the App. Not uninstall. The process of uninstalling the App from the users’ devices should follow after they have successfully deleted the Account. It is important for users to note that deleting the Account is an irreversible process, which users can't revert even if they have performed it by accident.

WhatsApp has provided instructions for both Android and iPhones. Users should go to WhatsApp settings and follow the prompts.

How to ensure that the information of the deleted account is removed from the local or cloud storage?

There are two backup storages: WhatsApp local backup system and Google Drive Cloud storage. WhatsApp chats and personal media backup files are saved in the

/sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases/ folder on the user’s phone.

Users should follow the following steps to delete the backups.

The user must Launch File Manager (for most of us it appears a My Files)
Tap the WhatsApp folder /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databses/ and a list of all WhatsApp sub-folders will appear.
Tap and hold the Databases file.
Select Delete.

For users who are also backing up on Google Drive (Cloud Storage), it is important to also delete the backup history from Google Drive. This is because these backup files exist even after deleting the account and uninstalling WhatsApp.

How to Delete WhatsApp Backup on Mobile Phone

Open Google Drive app: Tap on Backup option. If you don’t find this option, you need to update the app.
Go to dot menu: You will be shown WhatsApp option, now tap on the three dots in the right side.
Delete Backup: Tap on the delete option.

Important to note is that before deleting the backup, you can also move the files to a computer or another storage medium, as that might be helpful in some situations.

What to keep in mind when and after deleting the account?

Users must keep in mind inter alia the following derived from WhatsApp FAQs:

Users can't regain access to their accounts.
It may take up to 90 days from the beginning of the deletion process to delete users’ WhatsApp information. Copies of users’ information may also remain after the 90 days in the backup storage that we use to recover in the event of a disaster, software error, or other data loss event. User’s information isn't available to them on WhatsApp during this time.
Copies of some materials such as log records may remain in WhatsApp database but are disassociated from personal identifiers.
Users’ information shared with other Facebook Companies will also be deleted.
WhatsApp may also keep users’ information for things like legal issues, terms violations, or harm prevention efforts.

Adv. Lufuno T Khorommbi (Ms) is a specialist Cyber Law Consultant and the Managing Director of Orizur Consulting Enterprise. Her expertise lies in cyber law, cyber security, IT Procurement, Contract Management, Research and Policy Management. She is a Mentee of the Cherie Blair Foundation Global Women’s Mentoring Programme; a Member of South Africa Institute of Intellectual Property Law; a MICT SETA 4IR Advisory Committee Member; LLM specialization in IT Law; Certified in CIO Practice; she holds a Certificate in Cyber Security and a Certificate in Legislative Drafting.
www.orizur.co.za