On June 16, 2025, Meta announced that WhatsApp will begin featuring ads in its Updates tab, a move met with skepticism by privacy advocates. Despite assurances that ads will not target based on personal messages, concerns linger about user privacy. The new ad features will include Promoted Channels based on user interests and Ads in Status, aimed at enhancing business promotion within the app. This transition prompts fears that the platform may shift towards monetization and away from the core of private messaging, urging users to consider alternatives.
"The introduction of ads could signal a wider shift away from private messaging toward monetized, monitored communication," warns Chief Technology Officer at NordVPN, Marijus Briedis.
"WhatsApp ads are now set to be locked within its Updates tab, which has 1.5 billion daily users, including both Channels and Statuses."
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