Users grant WhatsApp a worldwide, royalty-free, sublicensable, and transferable license to use, reproduce, distribute, create derivative works of, display, and perform content uploaded, submitted, stored, sent, or received through the Services. The document states this license is for the limited purpose of operating and providing the Services.
This analysis describes what WhatsApp's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology
This provision establishes the contractual basis under which WhatsApp processes and transmits user content, including messages, profile pictures, and status messages. The license is described as limited to operating and providing the Services, though the terms sublicensable and transferable indicate the license may be passed to third-party service providers and successor entities.
Interpretive note: The scope of 'limited purpose of operating and providing our Services' is not exhaustively defined in the document; the sublicensable and transferable nature of the license means third-party processing may occur within this grant.
Meta offered rival AI chatbots free access to the WhatsApp Business API for one month in the European Economic Area. This follows EU regulatory pressure under the Digital Markets Act. The outcome of ongoing negotiations will determine whether third-party AI chatbot access becomes permanent, paid, or restricted.
View change record →Added clarification that the license rights are limited to the purpose of operating and providing the Services, with examples such as displaying profile pictures.
View full change record →This clause establishes that content users upload or send through WhatsApp is subject to a worldwide license permitting WhatsApp to use, reproduce, distribute, and create derivative works of that content for the stated purpose of operating the Services. The license is sublicensable and transferable, which the document indicates supports use by service providers and affiliated companies involved in delivering the Services.
How other platforms handle this
we may closely review accounts that offer the following services, products, or content: Online trading, day trading tips, and stock market related content
Paid Subscribers can select whether Content is public or private.
If Your Content is prohibited under the laws of any jurisdiction where our Services are available, we may remove it even if it is not illegal in your location.
"In order to operate and provide our Services, you grant WhatsApp a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, sublicensable, and transferable license to use, reproduce, distribute, create derivative works of, display, and perform the information (including the content) that you upload, submit, store, send, or receive on or through our Services. The rights you grant in this license are for the limited purpose of operating and providing our Services (such as to allow us to display your profile picture and status message, transmit your messages, and store your undelivered messages on our servers for up to 30 days as we try to deliver them).Excerpt from WhatsApp's Terms of Service
REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: The scope of this license engages GDPR Article 6 legal basis requirements for processing personal data in the European Region, as the license's application to message content and personal information must be grounded …
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This provision establishes the contractual basis under which WhatsApp processes and transmits user content, including messages, profile pictures, and status messages. The license is described as limited to operating and providing the Services, though the terms sublicensable and transferable indicate the license may be passed to third-party service providers and successor entities.
This clause establishes that content users upload or send through WhatsApp is subject to a worldwide license permitting WhatsApp to use, reproduce, distribute, and create derivative works of that content for the stated purpose of operating the Services. The license is sublicensable and transferable, which the document indicates supports use by service providers and affiliated companies involved in delivering the …
ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 262 platforms. See the full comparison.
No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by WhatsApp.