A Feature Request to WhatsApp; Request for Regulation to TRAI
Data privacy and protection is always a comedy in India. Most people are either aware or do not care or both. “What will they do with my data?” is a common question which most of the evangelists gets in return when they try to explain. The increased popularity of Digi Yatra, people finding it convenient and are not concerned on the privacy is one of the latest sign on this.
Recollecting the 2021 event of WhatsApp’s privacy policy change, commenting the data will be shared with their parent company Meta and will be used for the targeted marketing (and what not, they only knows!). WhatsApp have introduced many features ever since them, now it has become much more than a instant messenger. You can do video call, conference call, business, banking, broadcast, read news etc. apart from the primary instant messaging feature. Wonderful indeed! The app had evolved itself a product.
This note is regarding one such small feature of WhatsApp which is irritating people like me who are concerned of privacy wearing a Product Manager Hat who cares the privacy. The WhatsApp Business accounts can sent you marketing messages (can be anything) and spam you, these can be automated and targeted too. This is regarding this feature.
WhatsApp also have a feature enabling you to opt out of these, reply to any business messages with “STOP”, you are removed/unsubscribed from the list. This option is often not utilized or implemented properly giving no respect to the users.
Replying STOP to the messages makes not difference. It keeps sending you the annoying ads.
Some business doesn’t even have the option available. They ignores you and your privacy! Sorry, Its a monologue and you have no options!
Some similar feature is there in the normal text message service (not sure on the name) where business accounts sends you messages (looks different from SMS), but I think the things are better here with a STOP message will make it stop (worked so far, no other experience).
STOP reply worked so far with all such senders.
To WhatsApp
Cant you please develop the STOP feature make it mandate from your end? How much does it take to built this feature? less than a sprint? Make it mandate, non customizable option to all the business messaging accounts, upon receiving a STOP the service should stop sending message to that particular number. This STOP or Unsubscribe feature should not be altered or switched off by any providers using the service. This way WhatsApp can show some respect to the privacy of the users and regain their trust.
To TRAI
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), should make regulations to protect and respect the privacy of the users. TRAI should make new regulations which stops businesses sending spams to the numbers by default. The regulation should make that all the users will be by default in DND and only those who subscribe for updates can be used for sending these messages not the reverse. The default should be reversed.
Would like to know your thoughts, please comment on Linkedin Post.