WhatsApp Starts Ads Rollout, Sparking Privacy Fears

- Meta launches new ad formats in WhatsApp to monetize the platform. - Ads will not appear in private chats and messages remain end-to-end encrypted. On June 16, 2025, multiple outlets reported Meta will integrate three new ad formats into WhatsApp's Updates tab, an integration that has consequently raised privacy concerns among users. On June 16, Meta stated this move aims to monetize the messaging platform. Also on June 16, Meta assured it will maintain end-to-end encryption for private messages. The new ads will appear in the "Updates" tab, which already hosts Status updates and Channels. According to Meta on June 16, 1.5 billion people use these features daily. Meta also stated on June 16 that users who utilize WhatsApp solely for personal messaging will not see changes to their experience. On June 16, Meta announced three new ad formats: 1. Status Ads: Businesses can run promotional content in the Status section, similar to Instagram Stories. Tapping on these ads opens a direct chat with the business. 2. Promoted Channels: Businesses and creators can pay to promote their Channels within the Updates tab's directory for increased visibility. 3. Channel Subscriptions: Users can pay to access exclusive content from select creators and businesses on Channels. Meta stated on June 16 that WhatsApp will not take a commission on these subscriptions for at least the first year, although it did not detail subsequent commission structures. On June 16, Meta explained that WhatsApp will target ads based on non-sensitive information, including the user's country, city, language, and the Channels they follow and interact with. The company assured on June 16 that personal messages, calls, or statuses will not be used for ad targeting. Furthermore, Meta stated on June 16 that users linked to Meta's Account Center (e.g., Facebook or Instagram) may receive more personalized ads based on cross-platform preferences. Meta also assured on June 16 that it would not sell or share phone numbers with advertisers. On June 16, Meta assured users it would maintain end-to-end encryption for messages and keep ads out of private chats. However, despite these assurances, the introduction of ads has sparked user privacy concerns. Meta also announced on June 16 that WhatsApp expects to roll out these new features gradually over the coming months. On June 16, TechCrunch reported confirmation of these changes. UPI.com also reported these changes on June 16, and The News International confirmed them on June 16 as well. In their respective June 16 reports, these outlets reiterated details about the ad formats and their placement in the "Updates" tab and also repeated Meta's privacy assurances. This strategy aligns with Meta's ongoing efforts to increase revenue from WhatsApp, which it acquired in 2014. According to CoinMarketCap on June 16, as of 12:00 UTC, Ethereum (ETH) was trading at $3,214, and its 24-hour trading volume had increased by 2.3%.