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All articles tagged with #whatsapp

Texas Sues Meta Over WhatsApp Encryption Claims
technology4 days ago

Texas Sues Meta Over WhatsApp Encryption Claims

The Texas Attorney General filed a lawsuit against Meta, alleging WhatsApp’s long-standing claim of end-to-end encryption is false and that Meta can read users’ messages. The complaint hinges largely on a Bloomberg report and faces skepticism from cryptography experts, who say there’s little evidence of a bypass of E2EE. Meta calls the charges baseless. A 2023 technical review found WhatsApp generally secure with some design flaws, but did not show breach of its encryption promises.

via Ars Technica|
#end-to-end-encryption#meta#privacy
WhatsApp Rolls Out Incognito Chat to Keep AI Talks Private
technology12 days ago

WhatsApp Rolls Out Incognito Chat to Keep AI Talks Private

WhatsApp launches Incognito Chat, a privacy-first Meta AI chat mode that runs AI inference in a Trusted Execution Environment so Meta cannot access prompts or answers; conversations are ephemeral by default and disappear when you end the session, with a potential option later to retain history via Private Processing. It’s currently text-only with plans for image and voice support, and includes a Side Chat feature to discuss ongoing conversations with AI without leaking details.

via WIRED|
#ai#end-to-end-encryption#privacy
Meta AI unveils Incognito Chat: private, disappearing conversations across Meta platforms
technology13 days ago

Meta AI unveils Incognito Chat: private, disappearing conversations across Meta platforms

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced Incognito Chat for Meta AI and WhatsApp, a feature described as completely private with no server logs and conversations that disappear when a session ends; it emphasizes end-to-end-like privacy while enforcing safeguards against harmful prompts and requiring users to verify age (18+), though critics warn disappearing chats could hinder crisis intervention and raise safety concerns amid ongoing AI-safety scrutiny.

via Mashable|
#ai#incognito-chat#meta
Instagram DMs Lose End-to-End Encryption as Meta Drops Privacy Shield
technology18 days ago

Instagram DMs Lose End-to-End Encryption as Meta Drops Privacy Shield

Instagram has removed end-to-end encryption for direct messages as of today, meaning DMs are no longer protected from Meta and could be accessed or shared with law enforcement. The feature had been opt-in since 2023 and was never widely rolled out. Meta suggests using WhatsApp for E2EE, as the other Meta apps like Messenger still maintain encryption, while rivals such as iMessage and Signal offer E2EE. The change comes ahead of new privacy-related regulatory efforts, including the Take It Down Act, and users are advised to back up any important messages before the switch.

via MacRumors|
#end-to-end-encryption#instagram#meta
Germany points to Russia in global Signal/WhatsApp phishing campaign
world1 month ago

Germany points to Russia in global Signal/WhatsApp phishing campaign

Germany says Russia ran a global phishing campaign targeting Signal and WhatsApp that affected hundreds of accounts, including German officials; Der Spiegel cites undisclosed government sources and says at least 300 Signal accounts were impacted, with access to chats and verification codes. Dutch, U.S. and German intelligence have linked Russian actors to the operation, while Signal acknowledged targeted phishing and Moscow denies involvement.

via kyivindependent.com|
#cyberattack#der-spiegel#germany
WhatsApp Tests Paid Plus Plan with Themes, Icons, and More Pins
technology1 month ago

WhatsApp Tests Paid Plus Plan with Themes, Icons, and More Pins

WhatsApp is testing a paid subscription tier called WhatsApp Plus for Android beta users. It adds customization features such as premium sticker packs with fullscreen animations, optional accent colors, and alternative app icons, plus a higher pinned-chat limit (3 to 20), 10 exclusive ringtones, and bulk theming/notification options across chats. The beta shows €2.49 per month in Europe and $29 in Mexico, with a potential one-month free trial; core messaging remains free, and the plan isn’t expected to affect WhatsApp Business. iOS support and wider rollout are planned for future releases.

via MacRumors|
#customization#pinned-chats#plus
Samsung to retire Messages this July—five strong alternatives to switch to
technology1 month ago

Samsung to retire Messages this July—five strong alternatives to switch to

Samsung will discontinue its Messages app in the US for Android 12+ devices this July (Android 11 and older are unaffected). Google Messages is the recommended replacement and now supports RCS with features like Wi‑Fi texting, high‑quality media sharing, typing indicators, read receipts, and end‑to‑end encryption. Other viable options include WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Telegram, and Signal, each offering different trade-offs in security, features, and cross‑device use.

via ZDNET|
#android#google-messages#rcs
Meta experiments WhatsApp Plus, a cosmetic-focused premium tier
technology1 month ago

Meta experiments WhatsApp Plus, a cosmetic-focused premium tier

Meta is rolling out a paid variant of WhatsApp called WhatsApp Plus that emphasizes cosmetic upgrades (premium stickers, themes, pinned chats, and custom ringtones). Pricing is reportedly modest (PKR 229 to €2.49), while core messaging remains free; Instagram Plus is also being explored with similar premium concepts, and no release date has been announced.

via Engadget|
#meta#note-extra-tag-not-allowed#premium-features
WhatsApp tests paid Plus plan with stickers and customization features
tech1 month ago

WhatsApp tests paid Plus plan with stickers and customization features

Meta is trialing a WhatsApp Plus subscription on a limited Android group that unlocks premium features such as exclusive sticker packs, themes, custom app icons, premium ringtones, and bulk chat settings (including pinning up to 20 chats) for €2.49 per month (about $3); iOS support is planned for later, and WhatsApp Business isn’t included in this test, with Instagram Plus also being tested by Meta.

via The Verge|
#android#meta#stickers
WhatsApp on iOS gets dual accounts, easier transfers, and AI features
technology2 months ago

WhatsApp on iOS gets dual accounts, easier transfers, and AI features

WhatsApp is rolling out multiple quality-of-life updates: iOS users can sign into two accounts on one device with a visible profile photo cue to verify which persona you’re messaging; chat histories can be transferred more easily across platforms and devices, and large files can be deleted directly from chats to free storage. Meta AI-powered light photo editing (background removal, style changes, element removal) and a Writing Help prompt for drafting messages are also included, with privacy assurances. The features are arriving to users now and should be available to all soon.

via Engadget|
#ai-features#chat-history-transfer#dual-accounts
Garmin smartwatches finally get an official WhatsApp app
technology-and-wearables2 months ago

Garmin smartwatches finally get an official WhatsApp app

Engadget reports that Meta has released an official WhatsApp app for select Garmin smartwatches via the Connect IQ Store, letting users read and reply to messages, send emojis, view chat history, and accept/decline calls — all with end-to-end encryption. Availability is model-specific (Forerunner, Venu, Vivoactive, and Fenix devices), and compatibility must be checked in Garmin Connect IQ Store; this follows a WhatsApp app launch on Apple Watch last year.

via Engadget|
#garmin#meta#smartwatch
technology2 months ago

Instagram DMs Lose End-to-End Encryption This May

Meta will end end-to-end encryption for Instagram direct messages on May 8, 2026, affecting only a small subset of opt-in users in select regions. Affected users will be able to export their chats/media before encryption is removed, and those on older app versions may need to update to retrieve conversations. The move follows low adoption of E2E on Instagram and comes amid ongoing privacy vs. safety debates among regulators and advocates; WhatsApp remains Meta’s primary E2E platform, and Meta’s encryption work continues on Messenger. Meta says the removal will happen soon and has faced criticism from privacy advocates.

via Ground News|
#encryption#instagram#messaging
OpenClaw Bridges Private AI with WhatsApp: A Quick Start Guide
technology3 months ago

OpenClaw Bridges Private AI with WhatsApp: A Quick Start Guide

OpenClaw is a self-hosted AI assistant that runs on your devices and connects to popular apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack, and more. This guide walks you through installing OpenClaw, selecting an LLM provider, adding skills (via SKILL.md files and optional ClawHub), and configuring a WhatsApp channel by linking your number with a QR code. It then covers starting the OpenClaw Gateway, which acts as the control plane for channels and sessions, and using the Gateway dashboard to connect with the saved gateway token. Once set up, you can chat with OpenClaw in WhatsApp and use it as a private automation hub across tools and services, with both local and cloud LLM options and extensive integrations.

via MarkTechPost|
#ai-agents#automation#note-only-five-tags-allowed
EU weighs interim rules to keep third‑party AI on WhatsApp amid Meta probe
technology3 months ago

EU weighs interim rules to keep third‑party AI on WhatsApp amid Meta probe

The European Commission plans to impose interim measures to prevent Meta from excluding third‑party AI assistants from WhatsApp during an ongoing antitrust investigation into Meta’s AI policy, after preliminarily finding a breach of EU rules. Measures would require Meta to maintain access to WhatsApp under pre‑policy terms while the probe continues. Meta contests the approach, arguing there are many AI options and that WhatsApp Business API isn’t a key distribution channel. The action follows a string of 2025 fines against major tech firms for rule breaches.

via CNBC|
#ai-policy#eu-antitrust#interim-measures