Page 8 - Whatsapp

WhatsApp introduces 'Chat Theme' on Android, iOS: What is it, how it works

Now, WhatsApp users can apply themes to their chats with custom backgrounds and coloured chat bubbles

Meta Platforms tweak accounting formula on AI servers to boost profit

By Meta's reckoning, the shift is expected to reduce the company's depreciation expense by $2.9 billion in 2025, which would, on its own, amount to almost 4% of estimated pre-tax profits for the year

Soon, WhatsApp will let users link social media profiles on their account

Beta version of the new WhatsApp feature only allows Instagram links. Options for other Meta platforms like Facebook and Threads may be included in the final release

OpenAI adds image upload, voice message support to WhatsApp chatbot

Amid all the buzz around its CEO Sam Altman's visit to India, OpenAI on Tuesday announced updates around accessing and interacting with ChatGPT via WhatsApp, including a new feature that would allow users to talk to ChatGPT using voice messages on the popular messaging platform and get responses from the AI chatbot in text form. This follows OpenAI's announcement in December that users can talk to ChatGPT by sending a WhatsApp message to '1-800-CHATGPT'. Put simply, this provided another way to access and use ChatGPT, in addition to app download, or users simply accessing it through a browser. OpenAI has now rolled out a few updates to 1-800-CHATGPT, expanding ways to access and interact with ChatGPT in WhatsApp. According to OpenAI, users can now upload images just like they can in ChatGPT directly, and also talk to ChatGPT on WhatsApp using voice messages, and ChatGPT, in turn, will respond in text. These updates are now rolled out to all users including in India - one of the ...

Soon, you will be able to schedule events on WhatsApp from individual chats

The ability to create and manage events is already available on WhatsApp, however, it is currently limited to group chats and community groups

Paragon spyware attack targeted journalists & civil society, says WhatsApp

WhatsApp uncovered a hacking campaign using Paragon spyware, targeting journalists and civil society members. The attack aimed to breach devices through malicious files shared on the platform

Whatsapp alleges Israel's spyware firm Paragon of targeting dozens of users

The official declined to say who, specifically, was targeted or where they were geographically, saying only that targets included an unspecified number of civil society and media figures

Andhra to roll out 'WhatsApp governance' on Jan 30, offering 161 services

The Andhra Pradesh government is set to introduce 'WhatsApp governance' starting Thursday, enabling people to avail themselves of 161 services through the messaging app, obviating the need to make multiple visits to government offices for procuring documents. Officials gave Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu a demonstration on this new programme during a review meeting held at the secretariat on Wednesday. "In the first phase, the government makes 161 services available in this. Officials explained to the CM during the presentation, on how people availing these services will choose their options," said an official press release. Services pertaining to the Endowments, Energy, APSRTC, Revenue, Anna Canteens, CM Relief Fund (CMRF) and Municipal Departments would be provided in the first phase and the second phase is expected to promise more services. Further, the CM directed officials to ensure that people's data doesn't fall into the hands of cyber criminals and called for the ...

Republic Day 2025: 20+ free Indian flags to upload on WhatsApp DP & status

India celebrates Republic Day 2025 on January 26. To show their patriotism on this day, people upload colourful and trendy designs of the Tiranga to their social media

Users should have option to opt out of WhatsApp data-sharing policy: NCLAT

Lifts CCI's 5-year ban on company's data-sharing practices in the country

Some relief for WhatsApp as NCLAT grants partial stay on CCI order

NCLAT further stayed the penalty of Rs 213.14 crore, subject to WhatsApp/Meta depositing 50 per cent of the amount

Relief for WhatsApp as Indian tribunal suspends CCI's 5-yr data-sharing ban

The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal has temporarily suspended the antitrust panel CCI's five-year ban on WhatsApp sharing data with Meta entities, pending a challenge by Meta

AI, reels, WhatsApp drive customer engagement for auto dealership: Report

AI, reels, content creators, and WhatsApp are driving customer lead generation for automobile companies and their dealerships, according to a whitepaper by Meta and Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations. Interestingly, as many as 72 per cent of new automotive buyers discovered the brand on the family of apps of Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. "This whitepaper underscores the potential of AI, reels, and messaging platforms such as WhatsApp to strengthen customer relationships and drive growth," Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) President C S Vigneshwar said in a statement. As per the survey commissioned by Meta, "72 per cent of new automotive buyers who were surveyed in this research discovered the brand on the Meta family of apps". It further said WhatsApp led the buyer-dealer communication as among new automobile buyers, 48 per cent used WhatsApp to directly connect with dealerships for vehicle availability inquiries, making

Tech wrap Jan 21: Noise ColorFit Pro 6, WhatsApp, Samsung Galaxy S25 Series

Noise launches ColorFit Pro 6 Series smartwatches. Music track on WhatsApp Status. Samsung Galaxy S25 series. Canon Live Switcher Mobile app. Samsung tri-fold

Soon, WhatsApp will let you add music tracks to Status updates: Details

The new WhatsApp feature lets users select a track for their Status from an Instagram Stories-like music library

Andhra Pradesh to soon offer birth, death certificates through WhatsApp

The Andhra Pradesh government will soon offer birth and death certificates through WhatsApp as part of its "WhatsApp governance services", Chief Secretary K Vijayanand said on Monday. The pilot project for the service will be conducted in Tenali this month to explore the process. "The state government will soon provide WhatsApp governance services to the people, in line with the objectives of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. As part of this, people will soon be able to obtain birth and death certificates via WhatsApp," Vijayanand said in a release. A review meeting on the process was held on Monday at the Real-Time Governance Society (RTGS) office with officials from various departments. Vijayanand emphasised that the chief minister aimed to make government services more accessible and convenient by introducing WhatsApp governance. He urged officials of the RTGS and the departments concerned to expedite the process. He also instructed the Panchayati Raj, health, and the munici

CCI reviewing feedback on amendments to penalty recovery regulations

"The proposed amendments aim to strengthen the regulatory framework governing the recovery of monetary penalties, enhancing procedural clarity and efficiency," said CCI chairperson Ravneet Kaur

NCLAT admits Meta, WhatsApp appeals against Rs 213 crore CCI penalty

The CCI imposed a penalty of Rs 213.14 crore on Meta on November 18 last year, accusing the company of anti-competitive practices related to WhatsApp's 2021 privacy policy update

WhatsApp enhances chats experience with 4 new features: Check details here

WhatsApp users can now react to a message in chats by double-tapping it, instead of using the press and hold gesture

UPSRTC to deploy over 7,000 buses, 24x7 Whatsapp support for Maha Kumbh

With the Maha Kumbh all set to begin in the pilgrimage city of Prayagraj on January 13, the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) on Tuesday said it will operate electric buses to facilitate the smooth movement of devotees. "To manage the heavy influx of pilgrims, the Transport Corporation will deploy 7,000 rural buses and 350 shuttle buses within the Maha Kumbh area," it said in a statement. Additionally, during the primary bathing days, the buses arriving from districts adjoining Prayagraj will be operated from eight temporary bus stations set up in the outer fair area to streamline crowd management and ensure smooth transit, it said. Uttar Pradesh Transport Minister Dayashankar Singh announced that crores of devotees are expected to attend the Maha Kumbh, with extensive preparations in place to ensure their safety and convenience. A Command Control Center has been established and is fully operational at the headquarters to provide real-time information and ...