What happens when someone leaves WhatsApp - briefly?
When someone leaves WhatsApp, their name and profile picture will still appear in group chats they were part of, but with a message indicating that the person has left WhatsApp. Additionally, messages sent to the individual after they have left will not be delivered.
What happens when someone leaves WhatsApp - in detail?
When someone leaves WhatsApp, several changes occur that affect both the individual and their contacts. Firstly, the user's account is deactivated, meaning they can no longer send or receive messages on the platform. Their profile picture and status updates are removed from view for other users. Any groups they were part of will also experience a change; the leaving user's name will be replaced with "You" in the group info, indicating that the person has left.
For the contacts of the departing user, their chat history remains intact. Messages sent to or from the deactivated account can still be viewed and read, but no new messages can be delivered to or from this account. If a contact attempts to send a message to the inactive user, they will receive a notification stating that the message was not delivered due to the recipient's account being unavailable.
In terms of data, WhatsApp retains the deactivated user's information for a certain period before permanently deleting it from their servers. This includes chat history, profile information, and any media shared through the platform. The duration of this retention varies depending on regional laws and regulations.
It is also important to note that leaving WhatsApp does not automatically delete the app from the user's device. If the individual decides to reactivate their account within the retention period, they can do so by simply verifying their phone number again. However, if the account has been permanently deleted, the user will need to create a new account with a different phone number.
Overall, leaving WhatsApp results in a temporary disruption of communication for both the departing user and their contacts. Understanding these changes can help users make informed decisions about their use of the platform and manage their expectations accordingly.