WhatsApp: Difference between revisions
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==Consumer impact summary== | ==Consumer impact summary== | ||
{{Ph-C-CIS}} | {{Ph-C-CIS}} | ||
'''User privacy:''' Collects and shares | '''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> | ||
'''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> | '''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> | ||
==Incidents== | ==Incidents== | ||
This is a list of all consumer protection 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]]. | ||
===Data lock-in=== | ===Data lock-in=== | ||
[[File:WhatsApp suspended account hostage screen.png|thumb|upright|WhatsApp suspended account hostage screen]] | [[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 | 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 access | 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 | 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. | |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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | |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> | 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> | ||
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===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, | 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 --> | ||
===Message deletion and editing (''2017—'')=== | ===Message deletion and editing (''2017—'')=== | ||
Since late 2017, WhatsApp | 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 | 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 consent | 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? | <!-- Could this be expanded to explain why this is an incident? | ||
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{{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 | 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> | ||
===Disappearing messages (2021-2022)=== | ===Disappearing messages (2021-2022)=== | ||
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===Disabling screen captures of profile pictures (''2024—'')=== | ===Disabling screen captures of profile pictures (''2024—'')=== | ||
In March 2024, WhatsApp | 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> | ||
Profile pictures are not mandatory to use WhatsApp and are therefore images that a user has voluntarily made accessible on their | 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. | ||
===Introduction of advertising (''2025'')=== | ===Introduction of advertising (''2025'')=== | ||
In June 2025, Meta announced that | 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: | |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>''("[...] 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> | ||
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*[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. | *[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== | ||
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WhatsApp
| Basic information | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2009 |
| Legal Structure | Subsidiary |
| Industry | Social Media, Messaging |
| Also known as | |
| Official website | https://www.whatsapp.com/ |
WhatsApp (officially WhatsApp Messenger) is an American instant messaging (IM) and voice-over-IP (VoIP) service owned by technology conglomerate Meta.
Consumer impact summary
User privacy: Collects and shares metadata, while competing apps intentionally collect less to avoid incursions on their users' privacy.[1]
Market control: The combination of Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, all owned by Meta, serves billions of active users.[2]
Incidents
This is a list of all consumer protection incidents involving this company. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the WhatsApp category.
Data lock-in
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 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.[3][4]
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.[5] 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.[6]
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[7], searching with external tools, and preserving good memories with people, including those of deceased individuals.[8]
The developers of WhatsApp have threatened to block screenshots inside chats with "advanced chat privacy" enabled:[9]
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.
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 - 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.[10][11]
Message deletion and editing (2017—)
Since late 2017, WhatsApp has allowed message senders to delete messages for a limited duration after sending.[12] This time limit was extended to slightly over an hour in 2018[13] and two and a half days in 2022.[14] 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.[15]
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.
Privacy policy update (2021)
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.[16] The update sparked a broader concern, prompting millions of users to abandon the platform.[17]
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.[6]
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.[18]
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.
Introduction of advertising (2025)
In June 2025, Meta announced that it would introduce ads globally on WhatsApp.[19] Previously, Meta (then known as Facebook) stated in 2014, after it acquired the application:
("[...] And you can still count on absolutely no ads interrupting your communication.").[20]
The personalized ads also utilize data from linked accounts on other Meta platforms.[21]
Alternatives
- Signal offers most of the same features, and while not without some issues, the app is open source, relies on Privacy by Design, and is operated by a non-profit.
- Matrix is more private and uses a federated design, but setup is slightly more involved than that of a commercial messenger.
- 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.[22]
References
- ↑ Elkind, Peter; Gillum, Jack; Silverman, Craig (7 Sep 2021). "How Facebook Undermines Privacy Protections for Its 2 Billion WhatsApp Users". ProPublica. Archived from the original on 7 Sep 2021. Retrieved 6 Mar 2025.
- ↑ Dixon, Stacy Jo (10 Jul 2024). "Most popular social networks worldwide as of April 2024, by number of monthly active users". Statista. Archived from the original on 20 Feb 2026. Retrieved 6 Mar 2025.
[...] 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.
- ↑ Gopal, Prarthana (11 May 2024). "How to fix the WhatsApp 'This account is not allowed to use WhatsApp' error". Android Police. Archived from the original on 12 Dec 2025. Retrieved 17 Feb 2026.
- ↑ Bhatacharjee, Sayani (16 Sep 2024). "How to Unban From WhatsApp Quickly and Regain Access (2024)". RetainIQ. Archived from the original on 7 Oct 2024. Retrieved 17 Feb 2026.
- ↑ "Seeing "You have been logged out"". WhatsApp. Archived from the original on 22 Feb 2026. Retrieved 17 Feb 2026.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Hatmaker, Taylor (9 Aug 2022). "WhatsApp is adding new privacy options, including screenshot blocking and a stealth mode". TechCrunch. Archived from the original on 23 Jul 2025. Retrieved 17 Feb 2026.
- ↑ Voit, Karl (12 Nov 2016). "You Can't Control Your Data in the Cloud". public voit. Archived from the original on 2 Feb 2026. Retrieved 17 Feb 2026.
- ↑ Sheeran, Ed (8 May 2025). "Ed Sheeran - Old Phone (Official Music Video)". YouTube. Archived from the original on 5 Sep 2025. Retrieved 17 Feb 2025.
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