WhatsApp users will soon get ads. That might cause backlash in Europe

euronews (in English)

WhatsApp users will soon get ads. That might cause backlash in Europe  WhatsApp is now going to start showing ads on the popular chat app after years of providing free services with no strings attached.  READ MORE : http://www.euronews.com/2025/06/17/whatsapp-users-will-soon-get-ads-that-might-cause-backlash-in-europe  Euronews Next is a future-focused news section covering global innovation, science and technology with a European perspective. Our dedicated team of journalists aims to educate and inspire today’s leaders by providing them with analysis and insights into the people and organisations shaping our future

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00:00WhatsApp announced on Monday that will start showing advertising as owner Meta seeks new

00:05revenue from the app's billions of users.

00:09The popular chat app will start displaying ads in the Updates tab, but the company insists

00:14personal chats and calls will remain encrypted and won't be used for targeting.

00:19However, the move is already facing scrutiny in Europe, where the commission previously

00:25warned it may violate data and competition laws.

00:29This is a major policy shift for WhatsApp, whose founders vowed to keep it ad-free before

00:34Meta's takeover in 2014.

00:37Alongside ads, WhatsApp is also introducing paid channel subscriptions and promotions for

00:43businesses.

00:45The changes highlight Meta's reliance on advertising, which made up nearly all of its $164 billion

00:51in revenue last year.

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