WhatsApp is a free to download messenger app for smartphones that uses the internet to send messages, images, audio or video. WhatsApp, founded by former Yahoo employees, was acquired by social media giant Facebook in 2014. Today Whatsapp, commonly popular among youngsters, has over two billion users worldwide. WhatsApp’s popularity grew rapidly across the globe primarily because it was one of the first mobile apps to offer free, internet-based messaging. Instead of sending texts using cellular-data networks, with comparatively higher charges, WhatsApp primarily relies on a Wi-Fi connection to send and receive messages and calls for free. Which means, there is no fee to sign up, and no data plan allowances to worry about. Since the app is virtually free, it has enabled users globally to make international calls from anywhere at any time. To use WhatsApp one needs a compatible smartphone or tablet with a sim card, an internet connection, and a phone number. The app uses a phone number as its username, and an account is locked to the phone. However, users can transfer contacts over to new devices. You can also use Whatsapp on your desktop, by visiting the official Whatsapp website and downloading it to Mac or Windows. More
WhatsApp is changing its policy to block AI chatbots such as ChatGPT and Perplexity. From January 2026, only Meta’s own assistant will remain active.
WhatsApp, with over 3 billion users worldwide, has become a magnet for political campaigns, marketing push notifications, and fraudulent schemes — despite Meta’s past attempts to curb spam.
WhatsApp groups with company chairmen, ministers and officials have been institutionalised to ensure weekly project reviews and real-time coordination, as part of the state’s ‘Naidu 4.0’ governance model.
Vembu acknowledged that Zoho had to speed up its rollout plans as timelines advanced unexpectedly.
Delhi government is launching a new WhatsApp-based service that will let people apply for documents like birth and caste certificates from home. Here are 5 key things to know about how the new system will work and make public services easier to access.
The addition of encrypted text messaging would bring Arattai more in line with global messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and Signal, which have long touted encryption as a core feature.
Vembu added that the spotlight has only strengthened the team’s resolve to stay grounded and improve faster.
By extending Arattai’s functionality into enterprise scenarios, Zoho aims to leverage its existing customer base and software ecosystem to offer a more integrated, secure alternative to global incumbents.
Vembu also stressed that Zoho does not rely on hyperscalers like AWS, Azure, or GCP for hosting its services.
The app has climbed to the top of Apple's App Store and is on track to break into the top 100 on Google Play, after previously ranking outside the top 500
According to CCI's directions, WhatsApp has been barred from sharing user data collected on its platform with other Meta companies or Meta products for advertising purposes for a period of five years.
The translations will initially be available in six languages on Android devices and 19 languages on iPhones, with more languages to follow
Meta CMO Alex Schultz recently visited India, a market that has become crucial to the social networking giant's future growth strategy because of rapid AI adoption and a fast-growing digital economy.
In 2025, Meta has partnered with the state governments of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu, for a big e-governance push through WhatsApp-based citizen service delivery models.
For those who don’t use it often, WhatsApp Status works a lot like Instagram Stories. Users can post photos, videos, or text updates that disappear after 24 hours.
WhatsApp is testing faster disappearing messages with new one-hour and 12-hour timers. Here are 5 things you need to know about this upcoming feature, how it works, and why it could change the way you share sensitive chats.
WhatsApp is working on a new voicemail feature that could change the way we handle missed calls on the app. Instead of just redialing or typing a message, users will soon be able to leave a short voice note directly linked to the missed call. Here are five key things to know.
WhatsApp has also introduced Advanced Chat Privacy, a feature users can switch on if they want an extra layer of control.
Launched in 2012, Hike quickly became popular among young users with fun stickers, private chats, offline SMS, and even news updates.
WhatsApp has started rolling out new group call features that includes new hand raise, reactions and more.
For now, Writing Help is in early testing with a small group of beta users on Android (version 2.25.23.7 via the Google Play Beta programme). It could see changes before its public rollout, and more tones may be added over time.
Russia has moved to restrict voice calls on WhatsApp and Telegram, citing crime prevention — a decision critics see as part of a wider campaign to tighten state control over the internet.
Russia announced curbs on calls on the WhatsApp and Telegram messenger apps on Wednesday saying this was necessary to fight criminality, state media reported.
Want to read deleted WhatsApp messages? Here's a simple guide with 5 effective ways to try, including using backup, notification history, and more, no third-party apps required.
WhatsApp may soon let users import their profile picture from Facebook or Instagram. Here are 5 key things to know about this new feature and how it works.