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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

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  • Meta to ban AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Perplexity from WhatsApp: 5 key things to know

    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 will limit messages to people who don’t reply, here’s why

    WhatsApp will limit messages to people who don’t reply, here’s why

    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.

  • Andhra govt has set up WhatsApp groups for every investment project to fast-track clearances: Nara Lokesh

    Andhra govt has set up WhatsApp groups for every investment project to fast-track clearances: Nara Lokesh

    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.

  • 'We are testing end-to-end encryption this week on Arattai, will be rolled out soon': Zoho’s Sridhar Vembu

    'We are testing end-to-end encryption this week on Arattai, will be rolled out soon': Zoho’s Sridhar Vembu

    Vembu acknowledged that Zoho had to speed up its rollout plans as timelines advanced unexpectedly.

  • Now apply for birth and caste certificates via WhatsApp: 5 key things to know

    Now apply for birth and caste certificates via WhatsApp: 5 key things to know

    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.

  • Zoho to introduce end-to-end encryption for text chats on Arattai, says CEO Mani Vembu

    Zoho to introduce end-to-end encryption for text chats on Arattai, says CEO Mani Vembu

    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.

  • Engineers behind Arattai have been perfecting this technology for over 20 years, says Zoho CEO Mani Vembu

    Engineers behind Arattai have been perfecting this technology for over 20 years, says Zoho CEO Mani Vembu

    Vembu added that the spotlight has only strengthened the team’s resolve to stay grounded and improve faster.

  • Zoho’s Arattai eyes enterprise use cases, looks at integrating businesses on platform

    Zoho’s Arattai eyes enterprise use cases, looks at integrating businesses on platform

    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.

  • Zoho’s Sridhar Vembu says Indian user data stays in India as Arattai climbs app charts

    Zoho’s Sridhar Vembu says Indian user data stays in India as Arattai climbs app charts

    Vembu also stressed that Zoho does not rely on hyperscalers like AWS, Azure, or GCP for hosting its services.

  • Zoho’s Arattai sees renewed interest as WhatsApp rival but can it succeed where others failed?

    Zoho’s Arattai sees renewed interest as WhatsApp rival but can it succeed where others failed?

    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

  • NCLAT reserves verdict on Meta, WhatsApp appeal against CCI penalty over 2021 privacy policy

    NCLAT reserves verdict on Meta, WhatsApp appeal against CCI penalty over 2021 privacy policy

    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.

  • Meta rolls out real-time translation feature on WhatsApp

    Meta rolls out real-time translation feature on WhatsApp

    The translations will initially be available in six languages on Android devices and 19 languages on iPhones, with more languages to follow

  • MC Interview: India could become leading exporter of AI technology, says Meta CMO Alex Schultz

    MC Interview: India could become leading exporter of AI technology, says Meta CMO Alex Schultz

    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.

  • WhatsApp on track to sell 100 million Metro tickets across India by end-2025: Meta's Sandhya Devanathan

    WhatsApp on track to sell 100 million Metro tickets across India by end-2025: Meta's Sandhya Devanathan

    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.

  • WhatsApp Status to soon get an Instagram-like Close Friend feature: how it works

    WhatsApp Status to soon get an Instagram-like Close Friend feature: how it works

    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 Disappearing Messages might vanish in just an hour: 5 key things we know

    WhatsApp Disappearing Messages might vanish in just an hour: 5 key things we know

    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 may soon get a voicemail feature: 5 things to know

    WhatsApp may soon get a voicemail feature: 5 things to know

    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.

  • Paytm founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma raises concerns over WhatsApp reading chats, Meta denies claims

    Paytm founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma raises concerns over WhatsApp reading chats, Meta denies claims

    WhatsApp has also introduced Advanced Chat Privacy, a feature users can switch on if they want an extra layer of control.

  • Why Hike messaging app with 20 million active users lost ground to WhatsApp, Messenger

    Why Hike messaging app with 20 million active users lost ground to WhatsApp, Messenger

    Launched in 2012, Hike quickly became popular among young users with fun stickers, private chats, offline SMS, and even news updates.

  • WhatsApp starts rolling out new call reactions, scheduling, hand raise for group calls

    WhatsApp starts rolling out new call reactions, scheduling, hand raise for group calls

    WhatsApp has started rolling out new group call features that includes new hand raise, reactions and more.

  • WhatsApp will soon let AI rewrite your messages before you send them

    WhatsApp will soon let AI rewrite your messages before you send them

    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 is restricting WhatsApp, Telegram voice calls, here's why

    Russia is restricting WhatsApp, Telegram voice calls, here's why

    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 imposes curbs on WhatsApp and Telegram, partially restricts calls 'to combat criminals'

    Russia imposes curbs on WhatsApp and Telegram, partially restricts calls 'to combat criminals'

    Russia announced curbs on calls on the WhatsApp and Telegram messenger apps on Wednesday saying this was necessary to fight criminality, state media reported.

  • How to read deleted WhatsApp Messages in 5 simple steps

    How to read deleted WhatsApp Messages in 5 simple steps

    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 you import your Facebook profile picture: 5 key details

    WhatsApp may soon let you import your Facebook profile picture: 5 key details

    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.

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