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{{ToneWarning}}{{InfoboxCompany
{{ToneWarning}}
| Name = WhatsApp
{{CompanyCargo
| Type =Subsidiary
|Description=American instant messaging app used globally.
| Founded =2009
|Founded=2009
| Industry =Social Media
|Industry=Social Media, Messaging
| Official Website =https://www.whatsapp.com/
|Logo=WhatsApp Logo green.svg
| Logo =WhatsApp Logo green.svg
|ParentCompany=Meta
}}'''[[wikipedia:WhatsApp|WhatsApp]]''' (officially '''WhatsApp Messenger''') is an American instant messaging (IM) and voice-over-IP (VoIP) service owned by technology conglomerate [[Meta]].
|Type=Subsidiary
|Website=https://www.whatsapp.com/
}}
'''{{Wplink|WhatsApp}}''' (officially '''WhatsApp Messenger''') is an American instant messaging (IM) and {{Wplink|Voice over IP|voice-over-IP}} (VoIP) service owned by technology conglomerate [[Meta]].


==Consumer impact summary==
==Consumer impact summary==
{{Ph-C-CIS}}
'''User privacy:''' Collects and shares metadata, while competing apps intentionally collect less to avoid incursions on their users' privacy.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Elkind |first1=Peter |last2=Gillum |first2=Jack |last3=Silverman |first3=Craig  |title=How Facebook Undermines Privacy Protections for Its 2 Billion WhatsApp Users |url=https://www.propublica.org/article/how-facebook-undermines-privacy-protections-for-its-2-billion-whatsapp-users |website=ProPublica |date=7 Sep 2021 |access-date=6 Mar 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210907090516/https://www.propublica.org/article/how-facebook-undermines-privacy-protections-for-its-2-billion-whatsapp-users |archive-date=7 Sep 2021}}</ref>


===User Privacy===
'''Market control:''' The combination of [[Facebook]], WhatsApp, and [[Instagram]], all owned by Meta, serves billions of active users.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dixon |first=Stacy Jo |title=Most popular social networks worldwide as of April 2024, by number of monthly active users |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/272014/global-social-networks-ranked-by-number-of-users/ |website=Statista |date=10 Jul 2024 |access-date=6 Mar 2025 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260220152126/https://www.statista.com/statistics/272014/global-social-networks-ranked-by-number-of-users/ |archive-date=20 Feb 2026|quote=''[...] Meta Platforms owns four of the biggest social media platforms, all with more than one billion monthly active users each: Facebook (core platform), WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Instagram.''}}</ref>
Collects and shares metadata, while competing apps intentionally collect less to avoid incursions on their users' privacy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Elkind |first=Peter |last2=Gillum |first2=Jack |last3=Silverman |first3=Craig |date=7 Sep 2021 |title=How Facebook Undermines Privacy Protections for Its 2 Billion WhatsApp Users |url=https://www.propublica.org/article/how-facebook-undermines-privacy-protections-for-its-2-billion-whatsapp-users |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210907090516/https://www.propublica.org/article/how-facebook-undermines-privacy-protections-for-its-2-billion-whatsapp-users |archive-date=7 Sep 2021 |access-date=6 Mar 2025 |website=ProPublica}}</ref>


===Market Control===
==Incidents==
The combination of [[Facebook]], WhatsApp, and [[Instagram]], all owned by Meta, serves billions of active users.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dixon |first=Stacy Jo |date=10 Jul 2024 |title=Most popular social networks worldwide as of April 2024, by number of monthly active users |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/272014/global-social-networks-ranked-by-number-of-users/ |archive-url=https://archive.ph/wmIXV |archive-date=26 Aug 2024 |access-date=6 Mar 2025 |website=Statista |quote=''[...] Meta Platforms owns four of the biggest social media platforms, all with more than one billion monthly active users each: Facebook (core platform), WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Instagram.''}}</ref>
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===
[[File:WhatsApp suspended account hostage screen.png|thumb|upright|WhatsApp suspended account hostage screen.]]
There are several instances of [[data lock-in]] in WhatsApp. For example, if WhatsApp staff suspend an account, the user is unable to access any messages stored on their device unless they successfully appeal the suspension. This means WhatsApp staff have greater access to some of the data stored on WhatsApp users' devices than the device owners themselves do. Such practices function similarly to {{Wplink|ransomware}}, a type of malware that prevents a user from accessing some or all of their data on a device until a ransom is paid.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gopal |first=Prarthana |title=How to fix the WhatsApp 'This account is not allowed to use WhatsApp' error |url=https://www.androidpolice.com/whatsapp-this-account-is-not-allowed-to-use-whatsapp-error-fix/ |website=Android Police |date=11 May 2024 |access-date=17 Feb 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251212201036/https://www.androidpolice.com/whatsapp-this-account-is-not-allowed-to-use-whatsapp-error-fix/ |archive-date=12 Dec 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bhatacharjee |first=Sayani |title=How to Unban From WhatsApp Quickly and Regain Access (2024) |url=https://retainiq.io/blog/how-to-unban-from-whatsapp-quickly/ |website=RetainIQ |date=16 Sep 2024 |access-date=17 Feb 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007151808/https://retainiq.io/blog/how-to-unban-from-whatsapp-quickly/ |archive-date=7 Oct 2024}}</ref>
 
Users are also unable to access their messaging history if they do not run a recent version. This means users cannot read existing messages until the update is complete. There are situations where users may not be able to update. These include being at a remote location with limited Internet access, exhausting one's mobile data plan, and using an older device for which updating is no longer possible because the latest version of WhatsApp no longer supports the device's operating system.
 
If a WhatsApp user has not used the service for 4 months, they must repeat the registration process before accessing their message history.<ref>{{Cite web |author=
|title=Seeing “You have been logged out” |url=https://faq.whatsapp.com/120604060995491 |website=WhatsApp |date= |access-date=17 Feb 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260222233358/https://faq.whatsapp.com/120604060995491 |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref> In addition, changing one's phone number means losing access to all existing messages that were not backed up in advance.
 
WhatsApp also lets users back up their messages to their [[Google]] account, but they are stored in a format that can only be accessed within WhatsApp, not externally.<ref name="TechCrunch-20220809">{{Cite web |last=Hatmaker |first=Taylor |title=WhatsApp is adding new privacy options, including screenshot blocking and a stealth mode |url=https://techcrunch.com/2022/08/09/whatsapp-privacy-presence-control-screenshot-blocking/ |website=TechCrunch |date=9 Aug 2022 |access-date=17 Feb 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250723202253/https://techcrunch.com/2022/08/09/whatsapp-privacy-presence-control-screenshot-blocking/ |archive-date=23 Jul 2025}}</ref>
 
WhatsApp provides a chat export feature that lets you save 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, the other participant can remotely disable exporting via 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<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}}</ref>, searching with 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=http://web.archive.org/web/20250528151304/https://cybersecuritynews.com/whatsapp-advanced-chat-privacy-feature/ |archive-date=28 May 2025}}</ref>
<blockquote>The company has stated that this is the first iteration of the feature, with plans to introduce even more robust protections in future updates, potentially including measures to block screenshots.
</blockquote>
 
===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, the app's usage 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 -->


==Incidents==
===Message deletion and editing (''2017—'')===
This is a list of all consumer protection incidents in which this company is involved. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:WhatsApp messenger|{{PAGENAME}} category]].
Since late 2017, WhatsApp has allowed message senders to delete messages for a limited duration after sending.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Himanshu |title=WhatsApp gets ability to delete messages |url=https://www.gsmarena.com/whatsapp_gets_ability_to_delete_messages-news-27955.php |website=GMSArena |date=27 Oct 2017 |access-date=17 Feb 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318124926/https://www.gsmarena.com/whatsapp_gets_ability_to_delete_messages-news-27955.php |archive-date=18 Mar 2018}}</ref> This time limit was extended to slightly over an hour in 2018<ref>{{Cite web |author=Ricky |title=WhatsApp time limit for deleting messages increases to over an hour |url=https://www.gsmarena.com/whatsapp_time_limit_for_deleting_messages_increases_to_over_an_hour-news-30053.php |website=GSMArena |date=12 Mar 2018 |access-date=17 Feb 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313043109/https://www.gsmarena.com/whatsapp_time_limit_for_deleting_messages_increases_to_over_an_hour-news-30053.php |archive-date=13 Mar 2018}}</ref> and two and a half days in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mehta |first=Ivan |title=WhatsApp extends time limit to delete a message to 60 hours |url=https://techcrunch.com/2022/08/09/whatsapp-extends-time-limit-to-delete-a-message-to-60-hours/ |website=TechCrunch |date=9 Aug 2022 |access-date=17 Feb 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240225131536/https://techcrunch.com/2022/08/09/whatsapp-extends-time-limit-to-delete-a-message-to-60-hours/ |archive-date=25 Feb 2024}}</ref> While there is a message noting that "This message was deleted," it is not possible to see what it contained.
 
Additionally, since 2023, WhatsApp has allowed message senders to edit messages for up to 15 minutes after sending. When the sender edits a message, while it is noted that the message has been edited, the recipient can no longer see the original message.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schroeder |first=Stan |title=WhatsApp finally lets you edit messages, but you have to be fast |url=https://mashable.com/article/whatsapp-edit-messages-feature |website=Mashable |date=23 May 2023 |access-date=17 Feb 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230523172541/https://mashable.com/article/whatsapp-edit-messages-feature |archive-date=23 May 2023}}</ref>
 
In effect, this WhatsApp feature allows the sender to remotely delete or edit existing information on the recipient's device without the recipient's consent.
<!-- 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/).  


===Introduction of advertising (2025)===
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. -->
In June 2025, Meta announced that personalized ads would be introduced globally on WhatsApp.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Scharon |first=Harding |date=2025-06-16 |title=Ads are “rolling out gradually” to WhatsApp |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/06/ads-are-rolling-out-gradually-to-whatsapp/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250616190958/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/06/ads-are-rolling-out-gradually-to-whatsapp/ |archive-date=16 Jun 2025 |access-date=2025-06-18 |website=Ars Technica}}</ref> Previously, Meta (then known as Facebook) stated in 2014, after it acquired the application: <blockquote>''("[…] And you can still count on absolutely no ads interrupting your communication.")''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Facebook |url=https://blog.whatsapp.com/facebook?lang=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250806121407/https://blog.whatsapp.com/facebook?lang=en |archive-date=6 Aug 2025 |access-date=2025-06-18 |website=WhatsApp Blog}}</ref> </blockquote>The personalized ads also utilize data from linked accounts on other Meta platforms.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-16 |title=Helping You Find More Channels and Businesses on WhatsApp |url=https://about.fb.com/news/2025/06/helping-you-find-more-channels-businesses-on-whatsapp/ |archive-url=https://archive.ph/vErdo |archive-date=19 Jun 2025 |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=Meta Newsroom}}</ref>


===Privacy policy update (2021)===
===Privacy policy update (''2021'')===
{{Main|WhatsApp updates privacy policy and millions of users flee the platform}}
{{Main|WhatsApp updates privacy policy and millions of users flee the platform}}
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 |date=12 Jan 2021 |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 |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 |access-date=6 Mar 2025 |website=The Verge}}</ref> The update sparked a broader concern, prompting millions of users to abandon the platform.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hern |first=Alex |date=24 Jan 2021 |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 |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 |access-date=6 Mar 2025 |website=The Guardian}}</ref>


==="Advanced chat privacy"===
There was widespread backlash over an upcoming privacy policy update regarding data-sharing procedures with Facebook. It outlined how businesses that use WhatsApp for customer service may store chat logs 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>
The "Advanced Chat Privacy" feature reduces data portability by disabling chat exporting. Chat exporting allows you to export the entire chat history, along with optional media attachments, into a ZIP file. This can now be remotely disabled by the other participant, meaning the user is at the mercy of the other participant to allow exporting.
 
===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" />
 
===Disabling screen captures of profile pictures (''2024—'')===
In March 2024, WhatsApp began turning off screen captures of profile pictures viewed in full-screen mode to "protect the privacy" of its users. This is made possible because mainstream mobile operating systems, [[Android]] and [[iOS]], allow applications to disable screen capture 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>


There are legitimate reasons for exporting chats, such as creating backups in a human-readable and non-proprietary format, preempting erroneous account terminations (yes, [https://karl-voit.at/cloud they do happen]), searching using external tools, and preserving good memories with people, including those of deceased individuals (see [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rj5dxoMY-dE Ed Sheeran - Old Phone]). And if you don't trust someone to keep something secret, you shouldn't send it in the first place, just as you would not tell them in real life.
Profile pictures are not mandatory to use WhatsApp and are therefore images that a user has voluntarily made accessible on their profile. As such, profile pictures are not private images.


The developers of WhatsApp have threatened to block [[screenshot blocking|screenshots]] inside chats with "advanced chat privacy" enabled:<ref>[http://archive.today/2025.07.07-200053/https://cybersecuritynews.com/whatsapp-advanced-chat-privacy-feature/ WhatsApp’s New Advanced Chat Privacy Feature to Protect Sensitive Conversations]</ref>
===Introduction of advertising (''2025'')===
In June 2025, Meta announced that it would introduce ads globally on WhatsApp.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Scharon|first=Harding |title=Ads are “rolling out gradually” to WhatsApp
|url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/06/ads-are-rolling-out-gradually-to-whatsapp/ |website=Ars Technica |date=16 Jun 2025 |access-date=18 Jun 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250616190958/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/06/ads-are-rolling-out-gradually-to-whatsapp/ |archive-date=16 Jun 2025}}</ref> Previously, Meta (then known as Facebook) stated in 2014, after it acquired the application:
<blockquote>''("[...] And you can still count on absolutely no ads interrupting your communication.")''.<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Facebook |url=https://blog.whatsapp.com/facebook |website=WhatsApp |date=19 Feb 2014 |access-date=18 Jun 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250806121407/https://blog.whatsapp.com/facebook |archive-date=6 Aug 2025}}</ref></blockquote>


<blockquote>
The personalized ads also utilize data from linked accounts on other Meta platforms.<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Helping You Find More Channels and Businesses on WhatsApp |url=https://about.fb.com/news/2025/06/helping-you-find-more-channels-businesses-on-whatsapp/ |website=[[Meta]] |date=16 Jun 2025 |access-date=17 Feb 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260126172044/https://about.fb.com/news/2025/06/helping-you-find-more-channels-businesses-on-whatsapp/ |archive-date=26 Jan 2026}}</ref>
The company has stated that this is the first iteration of the feature, with plans to introduce even more robust protections in future updates, potentially including measures to block screenshots.
</blockquote>
==Mandatory updates==
WhatsApp forces users to stay on 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 is problematic 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=Cole |first=Dylan |title=WhatsApp drops support for Android KitKat |url=https://www.androidpolice.com/whatsapp-support-android-kitkat/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025193121/https://www.androidpolice.com/whatsapp-support-android-kitkat/ |archive-date=25 Oct 2023 |website=Android Police}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ro |date=2024-12-22 |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 |archive-url=https://archive.ph/z9lWS |archive-date=11 Nov 2025 |website=GSMArena}}</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 -->


==Alternatives==
==Alternatives==
Line 44: Line 82:
*[https://matrix.org/ Matrix] is more private and uses a federated design, but setup is slightly more involved than that of a commercial messenger.
*[https://matrix.org/ Matrix] is more private and uses a federated design, but setup is slightly more involved than that of a commercial messenger.


*[https://telegram.org/ Telegram] is the most popular alternative and is end-user-friendly, with minimal content moderation. Prior to a September 2024 policy change, it refused to hand over user data to law enforcement upon request.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Lily |last=Jamali |title=Telegram will now provide some user data to authorities |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvglp0xny3eo |website=BBC |date=23 Sep 2024 |access-date=22 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923225048/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvglp0xny3eo |archive-date=23 Sep 2024}}</ref>
*[https://telegram.org/ Telegram] is the most popular alternative and is end-user-friendly, with minimal content moderation. Before a September 2024 policy change, it refused to hand over user data to law enforcement upon request.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jamali |first=Lily |title=Telegram will now provide some user data to authorities |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvglp0xny3eo |website=BBC |date=23 Sep 2024 |access-date=22 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923225048/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvglp0xny3eo |archive-date=23 Sep 2024}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


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