The end of an ad-free WhatsApp.

WhatsApp is rolling out ads. In an update on Monday, Meta announced that it will now show ads from businesses through its Stories-like status feature.

Meta says it will tailor the ads to your interests by using “limited” information, including your country or city, language, the channels you follow, and how you interact with ads on the platform. You can also change your ad preferences from Meta’s Accounts Center.

This isn’t the only change Meta is making to WhatsApp. The company will also start showing promoted channels when you click on the Explore button to find new ones to follow. It’s also rolling out the ability to subscribe to channels to “receive exclusive updates” as well.

  • SheenSquelcher@lemm.eeEnglish
    2·
    7 hours ago

    I’ve never had this problem. If they don’t want to download Signal and can’t cope with basic SMS then tough luck.

    • Corn@lemmy.mlEnglish
      1·
      7 hours ago

      SMS has issues if youre traveling a lot or want to send large files. Nobody has Signal and Im not going to ask someone I just met to install a new app.

      • SheenSquelcher@lemm.eeEnglish
        2·
        6 hours ago

        SMS has issues if youre traveling a lot or want to send large files

        Okay email?

        Im not going to ask someone I just met to install a new app

        They can only say no. And if they do, their loss.

        • Corn@lemmy.mlEnglish
          11·
          6 hours ago

          Asking for someones email when they ask for your whatsapp is weird.

          It would be nice if I didnt need a dozen chat apps,each with their own faults, but being able to communicate with friends and family is more important than software evangelizing.

          • SheenSquelcher@lemm.eeEnglish
            2·
            4 hours ago

            Asking for someones email when they ask for your whatsapp is weird.

            Yes it is. But that’s not what I was suggesting.

            being able to communicate with friends and family

            I made the switch 6 months ago and can communicate just fine. Friends and family.

            more important than software evangelizing

            Its not evangelising, I’ve just chosen not to use WhatsApp, FB messenger etc. If other people want to surrender their personal data to Meta have at it.