After years of resistance, WhatsApp gives in to ads: What does this mean for users?

After years of resistance, WhatsApp gives in to ads: What does this mean for users?

WhatsApp, long considered a sanctuary from ads, is now showing promotions in its Updates tab. Meta’s announcement brings status ads, channel promotions and paid subscriptions to the app. Private chats remain untouched, but the move marks a major shift from WhatsApp’s ad-free roots, aligning it more closely with Meta’s monetisation strategy

A woman stands next to a logo of messaging application Whatsapp during a Meta conference in Mumbai, India, September 20, 2023. File Image/Reuters