WhatsApp groups terms and conditions

This page outlines the terms and conditions that users joining NHS Confederation WhatsApp groups must consent to and adhere to.

By joining this group or continuing to be a participant of a specified group, you confirm that you have voluntarily provided my personal information to this group (including but not limited to my mobile phone number, name, profile picture, and any other information that I make visible to this group).

You understand that this will be visible to other members of the group and that NHS Confederation will store your mobile phone number in its CRM system as a means of verifying identity in the WhatsApp group.

You understand that WhatsApp is a third-party software that is licensed for personal messaging and not business use. You are joining the group at your own risk and it is your responsibility to understand WhatsApp’s terms of use.

You note that by using WhatsApp you may be giving permission to WhatsApp to share your details, and the details of your contacts with Facebook/Meta and that this is out of the control of NHS Confederation. You understand the risks associated with joining WhatsApp with regards data security and GDPR and will play my part to ensure the Group is operating responsibly. I will play my part to protect personal information.

You will report any concerns to the group moderator immediately or advise them if you wish to leave the group. You understand the moderator will remove any member of the group if they believe the rules below are not being followed.

You are solely responsible for how you use WhatsApp and you have read the NHS Confederation’s WhatsApp Policy and Terms of Use.

By joining the group you agree to:

1. Respect the purpose of the group as stated above and adhere to the NHS Confederation’s WhatsApp Policy and Terms of Use.
2. Not use the group for the distribution of comments or material that might be deemed disruptive, bullying or offensive, including offensive comments about age, gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, religious beliefs and/or practice, political beliefs, or nationality
3. Not download or share contact details of other WhatsApp group users, as this is a direct data breach.
4. Take responsibility for ensuring your WhatsApp settings are set to a maximum with regards data security and privacy, not least ensuring no links to other devices or your photos.
5. Be mindful of timings and volumes of messages, and the impact on colleagues. You will not send non-urgent messages between 8am and 6pm, or expect immediate responses.
6. Not spam colleagues in the group with adverts, memes or deals or inappropriate and excessive messages.
7. Not use WhatsApp group for discussing formal business such as securing agreements or contracts, noting the group is not an official business channel. Similarly you will not use the group to discuss sensitive information or share personal data
8. Not discuss any individual(s) and not use WhatsApp to air any grievances with individuals or organisations
9. Not add individuals to the group who have not been invited by the moderator.
10. Not share messages, content and contacts of the WhatsApp group wider than the group, unless required to do so by law. If required to do so, please contact the Moderator.
11. Agree that your WhatsApp messages may be shared by the Moderator with the NHS Confederation should there be a legal requirement to do so, or there is a concern the conversations and messages may be in direct breach of NHS Confederation's values, policies and procedures.