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WhatsApp

US-ownedUnited StatesVerified June 2026
Vendor site

WhatsApp click-to-chat and assets.

Detected by domain patterns

whatsapp.comwhatsapp.netweb.whatsapp.com

European alternatives

Threema (Switzerland)Signal

GDPR & Data Residency

WhatsApp is owned by a US company. Under GDPR Chapter V, transferring personal data to the US requires an appropriate safeguard (typically Standard Contractual Clauses or adequacy decisions. The 2020 Schrems II ruling invalidated Privacy Shield and increased scrutiny on US data transfers, requiring case-by-case Transfer Impact Assessments (TIAs).

If your website loads WhatsApp scripts or sends user data to their servers, your users' data may be processed in the United States. Review WhatsApp's DPA (Data Processing Agreement) and ensure it covers SCCs.

Tip: Consider replacing WhatsApp with one of the EU-based alternatives listed above to simplify GDPR compliance and remove cross-border transfer obligations.

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