Meta to introduce ads in WhatsApp, marking major shift
By Hadiza Abdulkadir
In a significant move, Meta has announced plans to begin displaying advertisements in WhatsApp, its popular messaging platform. The decision marks a major shift in WhatsApp’s business model, which has long promised an ad-free experience for its users.
Meta officials stated that the ads will initially appear in the app’s Status feature—similar to Instagram Stories—and may later expand to other areas, such as the chat list. The company says this step is aimed at helping businesses reach customers more effectively, while generating new revenue from WhatsApp, which boasts over 2 billion users worldwide.
The announcement has sparked mixed reactions. While some view it as an inevitable evolution of the platform, others fear it may compromise user privacy and the simplicity that made WhatsApp popular.
Meta has yet to confirm an official launch date but assured users that end-to-end encryption in personal chats will remain intact.


