WhatsApp: please read before you connect a number

The WhatsApp connection in StaceyChat is designed to help you test WhatsApp connectivity with Stacey on a test number only: a spare number you set up for trying things out. It is offered as a beta feature, for evaluation, and not as a way to run your main business number.

Telegram is different: StaceyChat connects to Telegram through Telegram's official Bot API, so none of the risks on this page apply to Telegram.

When you scan the QR code, your phone adds StaceyChat as a linked device, the same as WhatsApp Web or WhatsApp Desktop. Messages are then read and sent through that linked device on your behalf.

StaceyChat is not made, endorsed or approved by WhatsApp or Meta. WhatsApp's own terms limit automated and unofficial use of its apps, and WhatsApp can restrict, suspend or permanently ban any number it believes breaks them, at its sole discretion and often without warning or explanation. A ban can mean losing the use of that number on WhatsApp, together with its chats, groups and contacts.

We have designed StaceyChat so that a linked number behaves like a person replying, not like a machine sending lots of messages. Among other things:

• Stacey only answers messages people send to the number. StaceyChat has no bulk-messaging, marketing or broadcast feature.
• Every message is paced: a short pause and a “typing…” indicator before it goes, and a gap of several seconds between one message and the next.
• The same longer message cannot go to more than a few chats in a day, so nothing looks like a broadcast.
• A burst of messages from a customer is answered once, not line by line, and a reply the customer has already moved past is dropped.
• Group chats are never answered unless you switch them on, and you choose which chats Stacey answers at all.
• Replies that could be wrong are held for a person, and a person can pause Stacey in any chat at any time.

These safeguards are applied on a best-effort basis. They reduce the risk, but WhatsApp does not publish the rules it uses to decide on a ban and may change them at any time, so we cannot promise that any number will never be restricted or banned.

• You will connect a test number that you own or are authorised to use, and not a number your business depends on.
• You understand the connection is unofficial and that the number may be restricted or banned by WhatsApp.
• You connect the number, and use it with StaceyChat, entirely at your own risk. You are responsible for following WhatsApp's terms and policies and the laws that apply to your messages, including getting any consent you need from the people you message.
• You won't use StaceyChat to send spam, unsolicited or bulk messages, or to get around WhatsApp's limits.

To the fullest extent the law allows, Plugged-In Ventures Ltd is not liable for any restriction, suspension or ban of a WhatsApp number or account, or for any loss that follows from one, including lost chats, contacts, groups, customers, business, revenue or data. This notice forms part of our Terms of Service.

If WhatsApp restricts a number, disconnect it in StaceyChat under Chat apps and follow WhatsApp's own steps to request a review. You can unlink StaceyChat at any time from the phone, under WhatsApp → Linked devices.

Write to us at petergrant01@gmail.com.