Share this article WhatsApp users were given until today to accept a new privacy policy or be blocked from using the instant messaging platform. The 'soft' deadline of May 15th was put in place for users to agree to a controversial security update. Although people will not be cut off from the service immediately for not agreeing to the new terms, they will be hit by persistent pop-up reminders. The phased blocking of users will start with these pop-ups, followed by WhatsApp cutting off people from their chat lists but still allowing access to receive messages and calls. The privacy policy update will allow businesses, in particular those on Facebook, to more easily communicate with WhatsApp users.