It's clear that WhatsApp won't step back from its new privacy policy, but are you wondering what will happen if you don't accept it by the deadline WhatsApp will gradually restrict your use of the service?

According to TechCrunch, WhatsApp users will not be locked out of the service immediately, but they will gradually begin to lose functionality. It starts with the inability to send and receive messages, and gradually gets worse from there.

After the May 15 deadline, users will still be able to receive calls and notifications, but only for a "limited period of time," which according to WhatsApp will be a few weeks, but the policy against "inactive users" will apply after the initial deadline. In other words, accounts that are inactive for more than 120 days will be deleted.

WhatsApp's new privacy policy was originally scheduled to go into effect on February 8, but the deadline was pushed back to May 15 due to user outcry.

The terms suggest that WhatsApp will share more data with parent company Facebook, which people do not like. Rumors then spread that Facebook and WhatsApp would have access to private conversations.

WhatsApp claimed that this was not the case and that most users would not be affected by the change. The only new data that will be shared with Facebook concerns how users interact with the company. The policy also increases the transparency of existing data sharing, telling users exactly what is being shared with Facebook and why.

Facebook has passed that message on to its users, explaining exactly what the upcoming privacy policy changes mean. Nevertheless, that didn't stop users from jumping on board after the news first broke; rival services like Signal and Telegram saw a surge in new user registrations in the aftermath, and Signal struggled to keep up with the new demand.

If you agree with WhatsApp's new privacy policy, we recommend that you do so now; you can still agree to WhatsApp's privacy policy after the May 15 deadline, but you will obviously lose access to all messages in the meantime If you are unhappy with WhatsApp's new privacy policy, please see our list of WhatsApp alternatives and how to change from WhatsApp to Signal.