How does WhatsApp not respect Privacy/DnD settings?

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Level 1

40 points

How does WhatsApp not respect Privacy/DnD settings?

When I have Do Not Disturb Focus mode enabled, WhatsApp incoming calls are permitted to cut through ALL of my DND settings and still allowed to ring my device.

I've got Notifications, Background App Refresh, and Cellular Data disabled for this app. But when I'm on Wifi, Whatsapp is still allowed to elevate itself to the top of delivering incoming calls to my iPhone.

Somehow WhatsApp is abusing the Calls API or using a loophole to allow incoming calls even when my phone is set to Do Not Disturb.

Even more sus is that WhatsApp is not in the list of apps that can be turned off within the Do Not Disturb profiles? Why is that?

This is abusive. Apple needs to put an end to this or close the loophole that allows WhatsApp to get through. WhatsApp should not be allowed to ring my phone even after I've disabled all the relevant settings!

iPhone 12 mini

Posted on Sep 25, 2024 8:48 AM

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Answer 1

Sep 25, 2024 10:10 AM in response to doug526

doug526 wrote:

Lawrence, I'm not able to see WhatsApp in the list of apps to silence with DND. I have uninstalled the app and reinstalled. What gives?

If you have already shut off Notifications in settings, then the app will not appear in DND when you attempt to add it. Turn on Notifications in settings, then you can see that the app will be there to silence in DND.

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Answer 2

Sep 25, 2024 8:59 AM in response to doug526

If you haven’t already done so, I suggest you contact Whatsapp and complain.

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Answer 3

doug526 Author

Level 1

40 points

Sep 25, 2024 9:57 AM in response to lobsterghost1

Lobster, I am WELL aware that Apple doesn't own WhatsApp. As for your assertion that Apple "cannot control in any way" the way an app runs in their own ecosystem -- that is totally preposterous.

WhatsApp is somehow going rogue and is overriding DO NOT DISTURB on my devices!!!

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Answer 4

doug526 Author

Level 1

40 points

Sep 26, 2024 5:53 AM in response to Mac Jim ID

Mac Jim, this explains why the app is not available in DND settings but does not solve the problem. I added WhatsApp to "Silence" notifications and enabled the focus mode, but incoming calls are STILL allowed to come through. It even plays my ringtone even though my audio switch is set to silenced!

WhatsApp is ABUSING Apple's Phone API! This needs to be put to an end!

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Answer 5

Sep 25, 2024 9:23 AM in response to doug526

I see WhatsApp in the list of apps that can be silenced in DND.

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Answer 6

doug526 Author

Level 1

40 points

Sep 25, 2024 9:45 AM in response to lobsterghost1

It's absolutely an Apple issue, if the App is permitted to override my DND settings. WhatsApp has somehow exploited a loophole in IOS, and this definitely needs to be looked into.

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Answer 7

doug526 Author

Level 1

40 points

Sep 25, 2024 9:51 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

Lawrence, I'm not able to see WhatsApp in the list of apps to silence with DND. I have uninstalled the app and reinstalled. What gives?

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Answer 8

Sep 25, 2024 9:47 AM in response to doug526

As I mentioned, Apple doesn't own WhatsApp or their app. If the WhatsApp app is overriding anything that's on WhatsApp to fix. Apple cannot in any way, touch the code or fix anything the WhatsApp does or doesn't do.

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Answer 9

Sep 25, 2024 9:15 AM in response to doug526

Apple doesn't own WhatsApp, so complain to them as this is NOT an Apple issue at all.

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How does WhatsApp not respect Privacy/DnD settings?

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