WhatsApp - Revision history

Sojourna: /* References */

2026-05-04T23:29:15Z

References

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:29, 4 May 2026
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	{{Reflist}}		{{Reflist}}

	[[Category:~~WhatsApp messenger~~]]		[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
			[[Category:Meta]]

Sojourna: /* Incidents */

2026-05-04T23:27:20Z

Incidents

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:27, 4 May 2026
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	==Incidents==		==Incidents==
	This is a list of all consumer protection incidents ~~involving~~ this company. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:~~WhatsApp messenger~~\|{{PAGENAME}} category]].		This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}\|{{PAGENAME}} category]].

	===Data lock-in===		===Data lock-in===

ClippyFellow47: Major grammar edits to improve tone.

2026-05-04T14:09:35Z

Major grammar edits to improve tone.

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Rudxain: /* Mandatory updates */ fix nesting level

2026-04-07T08:45:43Z

Mandatory updates: fix nesting level

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:45, 7 April 2026
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	</blockquote>		</blockquote>

	==Mandatory updates==		===Mandatory updates===
	WhatsApp requires users to use updated versions of the app by first giving them an in-app warning if they have not updated for a while. If the user still chooses not to update, usage of the app will be disabled entirely.{{Citation needed\|reason=How long before this happens? Any screenshots?}} This can pose problems in certain cases, such as being in an area with poor or limited internet connectivity or using an older device that is no longer supported.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Coyle \|first=Dylan R. \|title=WhatsApp drops support for Android KitKat \|url=https://www.androidpolice.com/whatsapp-support-android-kitkat/ \|website=Android Police \|date=24 Oct 2023 \|access-date=17 Feb 2026 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025193121/https://www.androidpolice.com/whatsapp-support-android-kitkat/ \|archive-date=25 Oct 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|author=Ro \|title=WhatsApp to drop support for older Android devices on January 1, 2025 \|url=https://www.gsmarena.com/whatsapp_to_drop_support_for_older_android_devices_on_january_1_2025-news-65834.php \|website=GSMArena \|date=22 Dec 2024 \|access-date=17 Feb 2026 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260217143250/https://www.gsmarena.com/whatsapp_to_drop_support_for_older_android_devices_on_january_1_2025-news-65834.php \|archive-date=17 Feb 2026}}</ref> <!-- In my experience, WhatsApp is one of the few apps to function near-perfectly on 3G, even rural areas. Updates however are usually 60+ MB, very chungus in comparison. I'm not sure how to incorporate this point though. -Raster -->		WhatsApp requires users to use updated versions of the app by first giving them an in-app warning if they have not updated for a while. If the user still chooses not to update, usage of the app will be disabled entirely.{{Citation needed\|reason=How long before this happens? Any screenshots?}} This can pose problems in certain cases, such as being in an area with poor or limited internet connectivity or using an older device that is no longer supported.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Coyle \|first=Dylan R. \|title=WhatsApp drops support for Android KitKat \|url=https://www.androidpolice.com/whatsapp-support-android-kitkat/ \|website=Android Police \|date=24 Oct 2023 \|access-date=17 Feb 2026 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025193121/https://www.androidpolice.com/whatsapp-support-android-kitkat/ \|archive-date=25 Oct 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|author=Ro \|title=WhatsApp to drop support for older Android devices on January 1, 2025 \|url=https://www.gsmarena.com/whatsapp_to_drop_support_for_older_android_devices_on_january_1_2025-news-65834.php \|website=GSMArena \|date=22 Dec 2024 \|access-date=17 Feb 2026 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260217143250/https://www.gsmarena.com/whatsapp_to_drop_support_for_older_android_devices_on_january_1_2025-news-65834.php \|archive-date=17 Feb 2026}}</ref> <!-- In my experience, WhatsApp is one of the few apps to function near-perfectly on 3G, even rural areas. Updates however are usually 60+ MB, very chungus in comparison. I'm not sure how to incorporate this point though. -Raster -->

Rudxain at 08:44, 7 April 2026

2026-04-07T08:44:28Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:44, 7 April 2026
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	===Disabling screen captures of profile pictures (''2024—'')===		===Disabling screen captures of profile pictures (''2024—'')===
	In March 2024, WhatsApp started disabling screen captures of profile pictures viewed in full screen to "protect the privacy" of its users. This made possible because mainstream mobile operating systems, [[Android]] and [[iOS]], let applications disable screen capturing on devices without the consent ~~of the~~ of device owners.<ref>{{Cite web \|author= \|title=About profile photo screenshot blocking \|url=https://faq.whatsapp.com/1799783917198636 \|website=WhatsApp \|date= \|access-date=17 Feb 2026 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251109165725/https://faq.whatsapp.com/1799783917198636 \|archive-date=9 Nov 2025}}</ref>		In March 2024, WhatsApp started disabling screen captures of profile pictures viewed in full screen to "protect the privacy" of its users. This made possible because mainstream mobile operating systems, [[Android]] and [[iOS]], let applications disable screen capturing on devices without the consent of device owners.<ref>{{Cite web \|author= \|title=About profile photo screenshot blocking \|url=https://faq.whatsapp.com/1799783917198636 \|website=WhatsApp \|date= \|access-date=17 Feb 2026 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251109165725/https://faq.whatsapp.com/1799783917198636 \|archive-date=9 Nov 2025}}</ref>

	Profile pictures are not mandatory to use WhatsApp and are therefore images that a user has voluntarily made accessible on their profiles. As such, profile pictures are not private images.		Profile pictures are not mandatory to use WhatsApp and are therefore images that a user has voluntarily made accessible on their profiles. As such, profile pictures are not private images.

Bananabot: Re-archived 9 citation(s) from archive.today to web.archive.org using CRWCitationBot

2026-02-22T23:34:34Z

Re-archived 9 citation(s) from archive.today to web.archive.org using CRWCitationBot

Show changes

CopyeditorHF: Adding a comment to respond to another comment about a section I recently edited.

2026-02-22T14:42:22Z

Adding a comment to respond to another comment about a section I recently edited.

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:42, 22 February 2026
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	This is a feature included in several other messenger apps (e.g. discord, element). There are examples of users requesting it when it doesn't exist (example on steam https://steamcommunity.com/groups/SteamClientBeta/discussions/3/1694924244564842077/).		This is a feature included in several other messenger apps (e.g. discord, element). There are examples of users requesting it when it doesn't exist (example on steam https://steamcommunity.com/groups/SteamClientBeta/discussions/3/1694924244564842077/).

	In my experience it's mostly used to fix typos and spelling errors - if anything it helps protects the sender's right to privacy. -->		In my experience it's mostly used to fix typos and spelling errors - if anything it helps protects the sender's right to privacy. --><!-- In response to the first comment: I edited this section to make the tone more neutral, but I also question the reasoning behind this being included as an incident. Especially since Telegram is a recommended alternative and has a similar feature. -->

	===Privacy policy update (''2021'')===		===Privacy policy update (''2021'')===

DiffChar: Added a comment requesting clarity on one of the incidents.

2026-02-22T07:44:10Z

Added a comment requesting clarity on one of the incidents.

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:44, 22 February 2026
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	In effect, this WhatsApp feature allows the sender to remotely delete or edit existing information on the recipient's device without the consent of the recipient.		In effect, this WhatsApp feature allows the sender to remotely delete or edit existing information on the recipient's device without the consent of the recipient.
			<!-- Could this be expanded to explain why this is an incident?

			Technically senders are also updating existing information on the recipients device by sending them the original message.

			This is a feature included in several other messenger apps (e.g. discord, element). There are examples of users requesting it when it doesn't exist (example on steam https://steamcommunity.com/groups/SteamClientBeta/discussions/3/1694924244564842077/).

			In my experience it's mostly used to fix typos and spelling errors - if anything it helps protects the sender's right to privacy. -->

	===Privacy policy update (''2021'')===		===Privacy policy update (''2021'')===

ClippyWantsToHelp: /* Data lock-in */

2026-02-21T04:26:30Z

Data lock-in

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:26, 21 February 2026
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	WhatsApp provides a chat exporting feature which allows to export the entire chat history as a text file, optionally including media attachments, into a ZIP file. However, there is no way to export all messages at once. It has to be done for every contact and every group individually. Additionally, starting with an April 2025 update, exporting can be remotely disabled by the other participant through the "Advanced Chat Privacy" feature.		WhatsApp provides a chat exporting feature which allows to export the entire chat history as a text file, optionally including media attachments, into a ZIP file. However, there is no way to export all messages at once. It has to be done for every contact and every group individually. Additionally, starting with an April 2025 update, exporting can be remotely disabled by the other participant through the "Advanced Chat Privacy" feature.

	There are legitimate reasons for exporting chats, such as creating backups in a human-readable and non-proprietary format, preempting erroneous account terminations<~~nowiki></~~ref~~></nowiki~~>{{Cite web \|last=Voit		There are legitimate reasons for exporting chats, such as creating backups in a human-readable and non-proprietary format, preempting erroneous account terminations<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Voit
	\|first=Karl \|title=You Can't Control Your Data in the Cloud \|url=https://karl-voit.at/cloud/ \|website=public voit \|date=12 Nov 2016 \|access-date=17 Feb 2026 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260202071758/https://karl-voit.at/cloud/ \|archive-date=2 Feb 2026}}~~<nowiki>~~</ref~~></nowiki~~>, searching using external tools, and preserving good memories with people, including those of deceased individuals.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Sheeran \|first=Ed \|title=Ed Sheeran - Old Phone (Official Music Video) \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rj5dxoMY-dE \|website=[[YouTube]] \|date=8 May 2025 \|access-date=17 Feb 2025 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=rj5dxoMY-dE \|archive-date=5 Sep 2025}}</ref>		\|first=Karl \|title=You Can't Control Your Data in the Cloud \|url=https://karl-voit.at/cloud/ \|website=public voit \|date=12 Nov 2016 \|access-date=17 Feb 2026 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260202071758/https://karl-voit.at/cloud/ \|archive-date=2 Feb 2026}}</ref>, searching using external tools, and preserving good memories with people, including those of deceased individuals.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Sheeran \|first=Ed \|title=Ed Sheeran - Old Phone (Official Music Video) \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rj5dxoMY-dE \|website=[[YouTube]] \|date=8 May 2025 \|access-date=17 Feb 2025 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=rj5dxoMY-dE \|archive-date=5 Sep 2025}}</ref>

	The developers of WhatsApp have threatened to block [[screenshot blocking\|screenshots]] inside chats with "advanced chat privacy" enabled:<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Baran \|first=Guru \|title=WhatsApp’s New Advanced Chat Privacy Feature to Protect Sensitive Conversations \|url=https://cybersecuritynews.com/whatsapp-advanced-chat-privacy-feature/ \|website=Cyber Security News \|date=24 Apr 2025 \|access-date=17 Feb 2026 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://archive.ph/l0Byj \|archive-date=7 Jul 2025}}</ref>		The developers of WhatsApp have threatened to block [[screenshot blocking\|screenshots]] inside chats with "advanced chat privacy" enabled:<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Baran \|first=Guru \|title=WhatsApp’s New Advanced Chat Privacy Feature to Protect Sensitive Conversations \|url=https://cybersecuritynews.com/whatsapp-advanced-chat-privacy-feature/ \|website=Cyber Security News \|date=24 Apr 2025 \|access-date=17 Feb 2026 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://archive.ph/l0Byj \|archive-date=7 Jul 2025}}</ref>

CopyeditorHF: Added a hyphen for "view-once"

2026-02-20T22:07:49Z

Added a hyphen for "view-once"

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:07, 20 February 2026
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	There was widespread backlash over an upcoming privacy policy update related to the data-sharing procedures with Facebook. It outlined how businesses that use WhatsApp for customer service may store logs of their chats on Facebook servers.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Statt \|first=Nick \|title=WhatsApp clarifies it’s not giving all your data to Facebook after surge in Signal and Telegram users \|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/1/12/22226792/whatsapp-privacy-policy-response-signal-telegram-controversy-clarification \|website=The Verge \|date=12 Jan 2021 \|access-date=6 Mar 2025 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112161057/https://www.theverge.com/2021/1/12/22226792/whatsapp-privacy-policy-response-signal-telegram-controversy-clarification \|archive-date=12 Jan 2021}}</ref> The update sparked a broader concern, prompting millions of users to abandon the platform.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Hern \|first=Alex \|title=WhatsApp loses millions of users after terms update \|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/jan/24/whatsapp-loses-millions-of-users-after-terms-update \|website=The Guardian \|date=24 Jan 2021 \|access-date=6 Mar 2025 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124165416/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/jan/24/whatsapp-loses-millions-of-users-after-terms-update \|archive-date=24 Jan 2021}}</ref>		There was widespread backlash over an upcoming privacy policy update related to the data-sharing procedures with Facebook. It outlined how businesses that use WhatsApp for customer service may store logs of their chats on Facebook servers.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Statt \|first=Nick \|title=WhatsApp clarifies it’s not giving all your data to Facebook after surge in Signal and Telegram users \|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/1/12/22226792/whatsapp-privacy-policy-response-signal-telegram-controversy-clarification \|website=The Verge \|date=12 Jan 2021 \|access-date=6 Mar 2025 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112161057/https://www.theverge.com/2021/1/12/22226792/whatsapp-privacy-policy-response-signal-telegram-controversy-clarification \|archive-date=12 Jan 2021}}</ref> The update sparked a broader concern, prompting millions of users to abandon the platform.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Hern \|first=Alex \|title=WhatsApp loses millions of users after terms update \|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/jan/24/whatsapp-loses-millions-of-users-after-terms-update \|website=The Guardian \|date=24 Jan 2021 \|access-date=6 Mar 2025 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124165416/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/jan/24/whatsapp-loses-millions-of-users-after-terms-update \|archive-date=24 Jan 2021}}</ref>

	=== Disappearing messages (2021-2022) ===		===Disappearing messages (2021-2022)===
	WhatsApp also introduced "view-once" messages in 2021 and disabled screen captures of them in 2022. "View once" messages are deleted after being viewed.<ref name="TechCrunch-20220809" />		WhatsApp also introduced "view-once" messages in 2021 and disabled screen captures of them in 2022. "View-once" messages are deleted after being viewed.<ref name="TechCrunch-20220809" />

	===Disabling screen captures of profile pictures (''2024—'')===		===Disabling screen captures of profile pictures (''2024—'')===