WhatsApp In India

WhatsApp users reported that the outage appeared to affect the sharing of photos, videos, stickers, GIFs and other media files, while text messaging continued to function.

Screenshots shared by WhatsApp users on social media showed prompts asking them to enter their date of birth, stating that 'upcoming laws in India require us to ask for your age'

Instant messaging app WhatsApp on Monday put multiple accounts, including those in India, "under review" for 24 hours and blocked all the app features, prompting several affected users to flag the issue through social media. The disruption was noticed around 8 pm IST when users started facing the issue without any prior warning from the Meta group's messaging app. The WhatsApp app on the screen displayed the message: "Account in review. Date requested: 3 Aug 2026. Your account activity and device info is being checked to make sure it follows our terms of service. We will notify you of the result typically within 24 hours." Below these remarks, the app shows an option to learn about account issues, which include "How to use WhatsApp responsibly. See guidance" and an option "About stolen phone and accounts". Some of the users on social media posted different messages. "My WhatsApp account has been disabled without any explanation. I have already submitted an appeal, but the review p

Calling on WhatsApp no longer requires an app, with web support joining a broader set of updates for voice and video calls across platforms

The update lets users create a WhatsApp account directly on iPad, refreshes the Android Auto and Apple CarPlay experience, adds PDF viewing and annotation, and enables music sharing to Status

Meta-owned WhatsApp has submitted its reply to the government's notice on the "username" feature and the response is being examined, sources said on Thursday. The Centre issued a notice to Meta last Wednesday, questioning the proposed username feature on WhatsApp, flagging concerns that it could materially increase incidents of online fraud, phishing, digital-arrest scams and impersonation attacks. The username feature essentially allows people on the messaging platform to communicate without sharing their phone numbers. The Centre had also directed the platform not to launch the feature until consultations on the issue were completed "to the satisfaction of the government". Subsequently, WhatsApp had sought some more time to submit its response on the "username" feature and assured the government that it would not roll it out in India until discussions were complete. The sources told PTI that WhatsApp's reply has indeed been received by the information technology ministry and the

The Centre directed WhatsApp to keep the rollout on hold until consultations are completed "to the satisfaction of the Government"

Meity has asked WhatsApp to halt its new usernames feature over impersonation and fraud concerns, while the Internet Freedom Foundation questions whether the government has the power to do so

Meta-owned WhatsApp has come out with a detailed set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the controversial username feature, outlining details on how it plans to address concerns around impersonation, scams and unwanted contact as users begin reserving usernames. The FAQs come amid the Centre's notice to Meta flagging concerns over potential fraud and impersonation risks, and warning against a roll out of the feature till consultations on the issue are completed "to the satisfaction of the government". Put simply, the new feature will allow users to create unique usernames that can be used for connecting on WhatsApp without sharing phone numbers. The FAQs say usernames will be optional, cannot be searched by strangers, and that users can add an additional 'username key' requiring both the username and the key before someone can contact them. WhatsApp said well-known names, including those of public figures, celebrities, government entities and Meta-verified accounts, have been

With hundreds of millions of users, millions of businesses and a rapidly growing digital economy, India has become the most important market for WhatsApp

WhatsApp is reportedly developing a Scam Alert feature that could warn users about suspicious messages from unknown contacts without reading chats or compromising end-to-end encryption

WhatsApp is testing a native logout option that allows users to sign out without uninstalling the app or deleting the account, while preserving chats, settings and login information

Meta expands beyond ads with paid Plus subscriptions for Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp, alongside new Meta AI and creator-focused Meta One premium plans

WhatsApp has started rolling out usernames that could let users connect without sharing phone numbers, offering a more private way to chat with unknown contacts and groups

Meta introduced a policy in January allowing only its Meta AI assistant on WhatsApp, before amending it in March and saying rivals could use the social messaging app for a fee

Reportedly, WhatsApp is testing a new 'After Reading' timer for disappearing messages, allowing chats to vanish after being opened instead of relying only on a fixed time-based expiry

WhatsApp has started rolling out WhatsApp Plus to select users, adding custom themes, app icons, premium stickers, extra pinned chats, and personalised ringtone options

WhatsApp is reportedly developing a new Android Home Screen widget that could let users view recent status updates and upload their own without opening the app

WhatsApp is testing a translucent 'Liquid Glass' chat interface for iPhone, aligning with Apple's iOS design language, though the feature remains in beta and is yet to roll out widely

A US probe into Meta's alleged access to WhatsApp messages ended abruptly after reportedly claiming the company could read users' encrypted chats