To generally operate and provide Channels, we:

• Enable WhatsApp users to use Channels such as by creating a Channel, share, edit or remove Channel Updates, follow or mute a Channel, and allow users to view, forward or react to Channel Updates.
• Allow Admins to edit a Channel profile by changing the Channel name, picture, or description. Admins can also request that WhatsApp verify their Channel or invite other users to become an Admin of a Channel.
• Generate Channel related information for Admins, including Channel Updates views and reactions with Channel Updates (such as reactions to Channel Updates or responses to polls). Admins will also be able to see which of their saved WhatsApp contacts have chosen to follow their Channel, alongside the profile name and photo of non-contacts (depending on their privacy settings) who have followed their Channel.
• Delete a Channel at an Admin’s request.
• Analyse log information to resolve crashes and user issues and collect information for troubleshooting, diagnostics and debugging issues related to Channels.
• Collect and aggregate activity, system events and metrics (such as latencies) to monitor service performance, reliability, and efficiency of Channels, so we can ensure and optimise service quality.
• Test out and experiment with new features on Channels to see if they work as expected.
• Keep a log about Channel-related notifications and updates you receive. For example, we keep a record about when you accepted the Supplemental Terms of Service for WhatsApp Channels.

• Information to Create a Channel
• Channel Updates
• Followers, Viewers and other connections
• Usage And Log Information
• Your Account Information
• Location Information
• Customer Support And Other Communications

To enable users to find, view and follow Channels:

• Create and maintain a Channel Directory (with Channel list of categories) for users to search and browse for Channels.
• Recommend Channels to users that might be more relevant to them when they view, search or explore Channels. Learn more here
• Create links to a Channel or Channel Updates which users can share, for example to their WhatsApp Status or on other third-party platforms.

• Information to Create a Channel
• Followers, Viewers and other connections
• Channel Updates
• Usage And Log Information
• Location Information
• Device and Connection Information

To ensure safety, security, and integrity of Channels.

We use information we have and apply automated data processing techniques and, in some instances, conduct manual (human) review to:

• Detect and investigate suspicious activity by users or threats to the security of Channels.
• Investigate and address violations of our terms and policies, including our WhatsApp Channel Guidelines. For example, we may hide or suspend your Channel when we learn that you are engaged in infringing activities. If your account is banned from WhatsApp, the Channel associated with your account will be deleted.
• Detect, prevent and combat harmful or unlawful behaviour which threatens the security of our users' information, Channels or the WhatsApp service.

• Information to Create a Channel
• Channel Updates
• Followers, Viewers and other connections
• Usage And Log Information
• User Reports
• Your Account Information

For protecting your vital interests or those of another person.

We apply automated processing techniques, conduct manual (human) review and share information with law enforcement in circumstances where someone’s vital interests require protection, such as in the case of emergencies. These vital interests include protection of your or someone else’s life, physical or mental health, wellbeing or integrity or that of others.

In protecting such vital interests we aim to combat harmful conduct and promote safety, integrity and security. For example, we compare Information to Create a Channel and Channel Updates against a database of known hashed child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and use a combination of automated processing techniques and human review to detect previously unknown CSAM. If we detect apparent CSAM, we report it to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (learn more about how we work to help fight child exploitation here).

• Information to Create a Channel
• Channel Updates
• Followers, Viewers and other connections
• Usage And Log Information
• User Reports
• Your Account Information

Business intelligence and analytics:

• To understand usage of Channels we analyse how users interact and search for Channels.
• generate and validate metrics to understand how and how often Channels are used, in order to inform and improve product direction and development and forecast future adoption of Channels or features.
• analyse metrics about Channels (like number of followers, reactions and frequency of updates), including by using automated processing techniques, to improve the results, categories and recommendations displayed to a user.
• log Channels search queries in and use automated processing techniques to improve the directory and search recommendations.

• Information to Create a Channel
• Channel Updates
• Usage And Log Information
• Your Account Information
• Followers, Viewers and other connections
• Device And Connection Information
• Location Information

To promote safety, integrity and security outside of the performance of our Services. We use information we have and apply automated data processing techniques and, in some instances, conduct manual (human) review to:

• Detect, prevent and combat unlawful behaviour on Channels, such as by reviewing Channel Updates to determine if they infringe our terms, policies or WhatsApp Channel Guidelines and notifying Admins about infringing Channel Updates and, in some instances, removing access to content and / or suspending the Channel.
• log User Reports, aggregated events and actions to identify and understand the techniques being used by the bad actors that may interfere with Channels or the Service, including your use of Channels.

• Information to Create a Channel
• Channel Updates
• Usage and Log Information
• User Reports
• Your Account Information