I had to use some unofficial software ( https://www.wazzapmigrator.com/ ) to extract and store the messages from an unencrypted iPhone backup. Then you have everything in an sqlite file.
I was just looking through my google drive and there's no trace of my whatsapp chat backups. Even after running another backup. And pages online confirm what you're saying.
I guess I'll have to use my GDPR rights.
Interestingly enough, there only is the possibility of exporting account information info, but the information page about that procedure explicitly says that messages are not included.
That's relevant because since there's no other procedure to export data, this means that Whatsapp is already not okay with GDPR procedures.
edit (2): I just sent an email to Whatsapp via their contact page (https://www.whatsapp.com/contact/?subject=messenger) asking for my data in accordance with GDPR. Let's see what happens.
No, you have your messages on your phone. You just don't have your messages in a way you want.
Personally I would like a global export option too, but I am not going to die on that hill.
No it doesn't, the data is local to your phone and not in their systems or servers. So you already have your data on a device you control. GDPR is not about local data inter-op.
If e.g: MSN messenger had the same strategy, you would one day find yourself without the ability to backup your messages.
not everybody values past conversations the same way - but i have a few that have emotional value to me and don't want to lose them if e.g: my phone gets stolen or whatsapp loses popularity and shuts down one day.
edit to add: the automatic backups IIRC are unencrypted. I don't appreciate google having that. Why can't i choose my own backup target if the functionality exists?