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WhatsApp introduces ads after previously vowing ‘we don’t sell’ them
- WhatsApp has introduced adverts for the first time, departing from its original anti-ad stance.
- Previously known for not allowing ads, WhatsApp now implements them in the Updates tab only.
- Ads will mimic the temporary Status feature, aiming to match Meta's ad-heavy apps like Instagram and Facebook.
- WhatsApp claims to keep users' personal messages encrypted and will use data like location and previous ad interactions for targeting.
- Concerns arise about potential deeper data collection despite Meta's assurance of unchanged personal messages.
- Initially a paid service, WhatsApp transitioned to a subscription-free model after Facebook's acquisition in 2016.
- Admission of ads does not include personal messages but signifies a shift towards monitored communication, raising privacy issues.
- The move to introduce ads could lead to further changes undermining user privacy, as highlighted by data protection laws and privacy advocates.
- WhatsApp's shift to ad inclusion marks a departure from its original user-focused approach and aligns it more closely with Meta's advertising strategies.
- While WhatsApp's ad implementation currently appears limited, it sparks concerns regarding potential data surveillance and impact on user privacy.
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