WhatsApp Gets a Makeover: Ads Arrive in the Popular Messaging App
WhatsApp to Integrate Advertisements Within the Application
Time for a change! WhatsApp, the popular messaging app owned by Meta Platforms, is introducing ads starting this June. These ads will pop up in the "Updates" section of the app, where users can view subscribed channels and other status updates. Fret not, your private chats and conversations remain untouched.
Unlike Facebook and Instagram, which have been advertising powerhouses for Meta, WhatsApp has remained ad-free for a while. Now, after over a decade since Meta purchased WhatsApp for a whopping $19 billion, it's finally time to explore new revenue streams.
WhatsApp is widely recognized as a secure communication tool, with over 2 billion monthly users worldwide. Since privacy is paramount, Meta reassures us that our personal messages, calls, and status updates will continue to be end-to-end encrypted, meaning they remain private and can't be used for ads.
So, what's changing? Nick Srinivasan of Meta clarified, "Basic information like your country or city, the language of your device, and your activities within the 'Updates' tab will be used for ads." That's it. No selling of phone numbers to advertisers or using your personal messages or group memberships to personalize ads.
For those curious about the nitty-gritty, here's what you need to know:
- Ads will be targeted based on factors like your age, geolocation, language preferences, channels you follow, and your interactions with ads.
- WhatsApp will not access your personal messages, calls, or group memberships for ad targeting. Instead, it will use data from connected Meta accounts like Instagram and Facebook.
The ad rollout started globally on June 16, 2025, with features becoming available over the following months. While it marks a significant shift from WhatsApp's ad-free policy, it's a necessary step towards generating new revenue streams for Meta. So keep chatting, but be prepared to see a few ads in your "Updates" section.
Sources: ntv.de, mli/AFP
- Meta Platforms
- Ads
- Messenger
The Commission, given the new changes in WhatsApp, may need to reevaluate its stance on privacy matters within the context of business and finance, as a result of the introduction of ads in the popular messaging app. As WhatsApp explores new revenue streams, the preparation of potential regulations involving technology and data usage may also become part of the Commission's remit.
