---
title: WhatsApp: Candidate Consent
slug: whatsapp-candidate-consent
docTags: 
createdAt: 2026-08-21T10:43:09.655Z
---

This article explains how candidates opt in or out of WhatsApp messages on your job board, and how you record a consent status you confirmed outside of Ashby.

:::hint{type="warning"}
**Prerequisities: **You need to have WhatsApp candidate messaging configured before consent options will be available. For more on configuring WhatsApp candidate messaging, check out [WhatsApp: Setup](docId\:XK2qn03Z4yvC95MsPmlNI). 
:::

Consent for receiving messages via [Candidate Texting](docId\:EQo_rLP7jpwH3ykAOnV84) does not transfer to WhatsApp. Meta's WhatsApp Business Policy requires opt-in that specifically names WhatsApp and the sending business, and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and ePrivacy require channel-specific consent. 

# Routes to obtain candidate consent for WhatsApp messages

## Opting in or out when submitting an application

Candidates can opt in or opt out of receiving WhatsApp messages when submitting applications via your job board.

When you have `Enable WhatsApp` toggled on in your Ashby account, the following shows on your job board underneath your application form.

![The screenshot shows the consent options for both SMS and WhatsApp messages.](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/0p8tQ--ZZOxRtkVp6Qr-e/EcXPbpbPqNklByW9m23GD_backend-engineer-reteam-2026-08-21-at-95558-am.jpg)

Ashby records the candidate's answer along with a snapshot of the exact consent language they were shown, so your consent record reflects what the candidate saw at the point of providing their consent status.

:::hint{type="info"}
If you do not see the options to opt in or out of WhatsApp messages on your job board, check that you have a privacy policy link added to the **Company Privacy Policy** field in **Admin > Organization Setup > Candidate Texting**.
:::

## Manually setting consent status on a candidate profile

If you have confirmed a consent status with the candidate outside of Ashby, you can override the status on their profile.

1. Navigate to the candidate profile.
2. Click the **Summary** tab.
3. Scroll to the **Consent** section and click the pencil icon in the **WhatsApp Consent** field.
4. Select the consent status from the dropdown.

::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/0p8tQ--ZZOxRtkVp6Qr-e/DFbrYgHd1qjhbUyNcgFKO_ariadne-shepard-product-marketing-manager-ashby-2026-08-21-at-100251-am.jpg" size="100" isUploading="false" width="1490" height="772" darkWidth="1490" darkHeight="772" showCaption="false" alt="The WhatsApp Consent dropdown where the consent status can be overridden." indent="1"}

# FAQs

### If a candidate opts out of WhatsApp, does that affect their SMS consent?

No. Ashby tracks the two channels independently. An opt-out on one does not affect the other.

### Is candidate consent auditable for GDPR or data subject requests?

Yes. Ashby records SMS and WhatsApp consent events, including application-form answers (including an explicit "No"), consent replies, and recruiter overrides. If you receive a data subject request that requires this history, contact support\@ashbyhq.com.