Data Deletion Policy and Instructions for Users
We are committed to protecting the privacy and security of the personal data of our users. This section explains how users of our service connected to the WhatsApp Business App can request the deletion of their data that we, as the business, collect and process.
1. User-Initiated Deletion via WhatsApp Business App
If you wish to delete your WhatsApp account and the data associated with it on the WhatsApp platform itself, you must use the in-app feature:
For the WhatsApp Business App: Go to Settings > Account > Delete My Account.
Note: This action deletes your WhatsApp account and associated data (message history, profile photo, etc.) from WhatsApp's servers. This does not automatically delete data that our business may have collected and stored separately as a result of your interactions with us through the app.
2. Requesting Deletion of Data Held by ShopsStart
When you interact with us via our WhatsApp Business number, we may collect and store certain data, such as:
Your WhatsApp profile information (name, phone number, profile picture, etc.).
The contents of your conversations with our business.
Transaction, support, or service-related data.
To request the deletion of this data stored and controlled by ShopsStart (outside of the WhatsApp platform itself), please follow one of the methods below:
Method: Email Request
Send an email to our Data Protection or Customer Support team with the subject line "Data Deletion Request - WhatsApp Business."
Email Address: shopsstart.in@gmail.com
Required Information:
Your full name.
The phone number (including country code) associated with your WhatsApp account that interacted with us.
A clear request for the deletion of your personal data collected via the WhatsApp Business service.
3. Processing the Deletion Request
Verification: Upon receiving a request, we will take commercially reasonable steps to verify your identity to ensure the request is legitimate and comes from the data owner.
Confirmation: We will acknowledge your request within 15 days.
Deletion: We will delete all personal data we have collected about you through the WhatsApp Business App interactions from our active systems, databases, and backup systems (where technically feasible and required by law) within 30 days of confirming your identity and the validity of the request.
Retention Exceptions: We will notify you if we are unable to fulfill your request in full, providing a legitimate justification (e.g., legal or regulatory obligations, compliance requirements, prevention of fraud).
Key Points for Meta Approval:
Accessibility: The full Privacy Policy, including these instructions, must be easily accessible to the user (e.g., linked clearly in your Meta App settings, your website, or your WhatsApp profile).
Clarity: The instructions must be clear, easy to understand, and provide a direct method for the user to submit a deletion request to your business.
Actionable: The methods provided email must actually work and be monitored by your team.
Compliance: You must also comply with Meta's developer policies and any applicable laws (like GDPR, CCPA) regarding the timely deletion of user data upon request. If you use the WhatsApp Business Platform (API), you are also required to implement the Data Deletion Request Callback URL in your Meta App settings.