WhatsApp: Difference between revisions

'''{{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]].

'''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>

===Data lock-in===

There are several instances of [[data lock-in]] in WhatsApp. For example, if WhatsApp staff suspends an account, the user is unable to access any messages stored on their device, unless they successfully appeal their suspension. This means WhatsApp staff has greater access to some of the data stored on devices of WhatsApp users than the device owners themselves. Such practices function similarly to {{Wplink|ransomware}}, a type of malware attack in which a user in unable to access 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 access to their messaging history if they do not run a recent version. This means that users cannot read existing messages until an update has been completed. There are situations where users may not be able to update. These include being at a remote location with limited Internet access, exhaustion of one's mobile data plan, and having an older device where updating is not possible anymore because its operating system is no longer supported by a recent version of WhatsApp.

If a WhatsApp user has not used the service for four months, they are required to repeat the registration process before being able to access to 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 the user back up their messages to their [[Google]] account, but they are stored in a way they can only be accessed from 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>

 

|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=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.  

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 -->

Since late 2017, WhatsApp allows message senders 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 was contained in the message.

Additionally, since 2023, WhatsApp lets message senders edit messages for up to fifteen minutes after sending. When a message is edited by the sender, while it is noted 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 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. --><!-- 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'')===

{{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 |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>

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" />

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.

===Introduction of advertising (''2025'')===

In June 2025, Meta announced that personalized ads would be introduced 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>

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>

*[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 |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>

{{Reflist}}