The messaging app's boss, Will Cathcart, said the case "could set a dangerous precedent" by "emboldening other nations" to seek to break encryption, which is how tech firms keep customers' information private. Apple went to the courts after receiving a notice from the Home Office demanding the right to access the data of its global customers if required in the interests of national security. It and other critics of the government's position say the request compromises the privacy of millions of users. WhatsApp has applied to submit evidence to the court which is hearing Apple's bid to have the Home Office request overturned.
Learn how WhatsApp protects your privacy. Get answers to common questions about encryption, data sharing with Meta and more.
Our core focus at WhatsApp is providing three billion users all over the world with the ability to communicate privately. We protect these messages with end-to-end encryption using the Signal protocol, which secures your messages before they leave your device. This means that no one outside of the chat, not even WhatsApp or Meta, can read, listen to, or share them. You can learn more about how end-to-end encryption works here.
Today we're introducing some new features for our Updates tab, which is home to both Channels and Status.
WhatsApp has announced a series of new features that will change the way people interact with brands on the Meta-owned messaging platform and give companies more chances to cash in on user engagement. The changes, to be rolled out over the next few months according to Meta, expand and monetize the functions of WhatsApp's "Updates" tab, which has historically been a place for users to follow news and updates from their favorite companies, news organizations and celebrities. A new subscription model on the tab will allow channel admins to offer users exclusive content for a monthly fee. Channels will remain free for WhatsApp users.
WhatsApp claims to have billion users globally. Businesses with channels will be able to choose to promote ads in the Updates section to attract new followers, and also charge .
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. Your personal messages, calls, and statuses remain end-to-end encrypted, meaning no one not even us can see or hear them. 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.