WhatsApp is bringing adverts to its app, and the news hasn’t gone down well with users.
WhatsApp has confirmed it’s making a major change to its chat app, which will mean users across the globe will suddenly face seeing adverts on the screen.
These are destined for a section called Updates, which sit in a tab at the bottom of the screen.
Meta-owned WhatsApp says that businesses will be able to promote themselves in this area and charge users a subscription when signing up for additional services.
“These new features will appear only on the Updates tab, away from your personal chats. This means if you only use WhatsApp to chat with friends and loved ones there is no change to your experience at all,” WhatsApp explained.
“You’ll be able to support your favourite channel by subscribing to receive exclusive updates for a monthly fee.”
The BBC says that WhatsApp will then take a 10% commission.
Adverts aren’t new and have featured on other Meta platforms such as Instagram and Facebook – so this latest update simply brings things in line.
Even though the update won’t affect the main messaging section of the applicaton it’s still made many furious with even some threatening to delete the platform from their devices completely.
“Well that’s the beginning of the end for WhatsApp,” one unhappy WhatsApp fan said on a BBC forum.
Another added: “I’ve been looking for an excuse to remove WhatsApp and now they’ve given me one”
WhatsApp is keen to point out that every message sent via its service remains encrypted and can’t be seen or used by the service.
“Like everything we do at WhatsApp, we’ve built these features in the most private way possible. Your personal messages, calls, and statuses remain end-to-end encrypted, meaning no one (not even us) can see or hear them.”
Although that will be reassuring to some, it has also been confirmed that some data will be used to make sure users see adverts that will interest them.
“To show ads in Status or Channels you might care about, we’ll use limited info like your country or city, language, the Channels you’re following, and how you interact with the ads you see. For people that have chosen to add WhatsApp to Accounts Center, we’ll also use your ad preferences and info from across your Meta accounts.”
There’s no word one when the changes will come into force but despite WhatsApp’s efforts to calm the fears of users it appears many are not convinced.
“Give it a year and I’ll have to watch a video advertising deodorant or car insurance before I can message my mum to check she got home ok,” one angry user added.