Meta is bringing ads to WhatsApp almost everywhere, but EU is an exception: Full story in 5 points
After years of promising to keep WhatsApp ad-free, Meta has officially started rolling out advertisements inside the world's most popular messaging app. This was announced by Meta on June 16. However, in a rare exception, users in the European Union will not be seeing these changes just yet. With the new monetisation model going live almost everywhere else, the EU has pushed back, citing privacy concerns and regulatory scrutiny. Here is a breakdown of what is happening, and what this means for users globally.advertisementWhatsApp ads go live almost everywhereEarlier this week, Meta confirmed that ads are now officially live inside WhatsApp's Updates tab, marking the platform's first major step towards monetisation through advertising – after denying for years that it would ever push ads on the messenger. Ads will appear in the Status section of the app, which works similarly to Instagram Stories – it shows photos, text, or videos that disappear after 24 hours. This means, ads will now appear alongside updates from friends and contacts. Importantly, Meta has clarified that ads will not appear in personal chats, messages, or groups. 'We believe the Updates tab is the right place for these new features,' WhatsApp said in a blog post.
Alongside ads, Meta is also rolling out two other features to the messenger. One is channel subscriptions, which lets users pay for exclusive content from select creators, and the second is promoted channels, which will get visibility in the app's Explore section.EU users will not see ads until at least 2026 advertisementEU users are going to be an exception to the ad rollout on WhatsApp – at least for sometime. Despite a global rollout, WhatsApp users in the European Union will not see ads anytime soon. Ireland's Data Protection Commission (DPC), which oversees Meta's compliance in the region, confirmed that the new ad model has been delayed in the EU until at least 2026, according to a report by Politico. 'That new product won't be launching in the EU market until 2026. We have been informed by WhatsApp,' said Des Hogan, Ireland's Data Protection Commissioner. The DPC will now meet with WhatsApp and other European data protection authorities to review the plan before allowing its rollout.This delay is widely seen as a result of Europe's stringent privacy laws, including he General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which sets a high bar for how companies can collect and use personal data.Targeted ads, but with limitsComing back to the advertisements that everyone else will be seeing, including users in India, Meta says that the WhatsApp ads will be personalised using limited information. This would include details of your city, country, language, and how you interact with channels and sponsored posts. If you have linked WhatsApp with your Meta Accounts Center, ad preferences from Facebook and Instagram may also influence what ads you see.advertisementHowever, the company insists that it is keeping users' core data private. Personal messages, calls, and group activity will not be used for ads targeting, and Meta says these remain fully end-to-end encrypted. It has also promised that phone numbers will not be shared or sold to advertisers. A risky bet amid a big antitrust battleThe timing of WhatsApp's ad rollout is notable – and bold. Meta is currently facing a major antitrust lawsuit in the US, which could potentially force the company to unwind its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp. And now the launch of ads, especially ones that tie together data from WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook, may raise further questions about the company's market dominance and use of user data across platforms.Meta has long argued that its integrated ad business supports small businesses. However, during the trial, the same integration is seen as evidence of anti-competitive behaviour. WhatsApp's big shift towards monetisationThe move to introduce ads reflects a major shift in WhatsApp's strategy. Originally designed as a private, ad-free messaging app, WhatsApp now joins Meta's other platforms – Facebook and Instagram – in generating revenue from advertising.advertisementWhile Meta has for years been denying rumours that WhatsApp will get ads, it was also not entirely unexpected now when it rolled out because WhatsApp head Will Cathcart confirmed in 2023 that ads are in development. And if you look at it from the business side of things: with WhatsApp now boasting 1.5 billion daily users, the opportunity for revenue is enormous. Last year, Meta reportedly earned over $160 billion in advertising revenue, and now the roll out of ads to WhatsApp could help push that figure even higher. However, this also means that the platform that many users have relied on for private, interruption-free experience is becoming increasingly commercialised.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Who Is Mark Walter? Billionaire changing sports by owning teams from NBA to Formula 1
Who Is Mark Walter? Billionaire changing sports by owning teams from NBA to Formula 1 (Image via Getty) Mark Walter, who is a billionaire investor and the CEO of Guggenheim Partners, is no stranger to headlines, especially not for buying major sports ownership. He has teams in several leagues and different countries, and every year he has quietly built a sports empire that includes teams in baseball, women's hockey, European football, and motorsports. Now, he is (somewhat inappropriately) making headlines again. A new deal with the Los Angeles Lakers has valued the team at an unprecedented $10 billion. Which is extremely shocking for fans and insiders, but just reaffirming that Mark Walter is changing the entire landscape of sports globally again. Mark Walter now owns part of the Los Angeles Lakers After $10 billion deal On Monday, June 17, 2025, Mark Walter and his firm, Guggenheim Partners, agreed to acquire a major stake in the Los Angeles Lakers at a record $10 billion valuation, according to Front Office Sports. This deal is now the highest team valuation ever recorded in the NBA . Mark Walter is already the primary owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, which he and Guggenheim Baseball Management bought in 2012 for $2.15 billion. Mark Walter is also part-owner of the Los Angeles Sparks, the WNBA team, continuing his strong focus on top LA franchises. With this new Los Angeles Lakers deal, Mark Walter now holds a major share across basketball, baseball, and women's sports — all within the city of Los Angeles. Mark Walter's sports holdings include Chelsea FC and a 2026 F1 team Mark Walter's investments go beyond the U.S. In 2022, he co-led the group BlueCo along with Todd Boehly to buy Chelsea FC, a top soccer club in London. They also own RC Strasbourg, a football club in France. In 2023, Mark Walter expanded into women's hockey by purchasing the Premier Hockey Federation and merging it with other leagues, creating the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL). The league's championship trophy is named the Walter Cup in his honor. In motorsports, Mark Walter's group TWG Motorsports will launch a Cadillac Formula 1 team in 2026. He's also involved in IndyCar, Formula E, NASCAR, and other racing series through deals with Andretti Global, Spire Motorsports, and Wayne Taylor Racing. As one sports executive told Front Office Sports, 'No one is doing what Mark Walter is doing — he's building something nobody else even imagined.' Also Read: Who is Mark Walter? The billionaire who acquired Los Angeles Lakers in biggest sports team deal in history Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
Swiss Seek European Arms Procurement Ties to Bolster Defense
(Bloomberg) -- The Swiss government is seeking closer collaboration with other European nations in defense procurement, following warnings by senior officials over the country's struggling arms industry. As part of a new defense strategy announced on Friday, Switzerland aims to buy at least 30% of its arms from Europe. Swiss forces should also use the same weapon systems as their neighbors, or at least compatible ones, the government said in a statement. 'It's a give and take,' the government said. 'Swiss companies need to gain access to international cooperation and the supply chains of foreign system suppliers.' Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and concern over US President Donald Trump's commitment to NATO's mutual defense clause is forcing Europe to rearm, making it more challenging for small countries like Switzerland to place orders. At the same time, the Swiss defense industry has been frozen out of procurement efforts as the country's rules — rooted in its neutrality stance — mean it has blocked requests to send arms and ammunition to Ukraine. As neither a member of NATO nor the European Union, the Federal Council reiterated that neutral Switzerland is finding it difficult to order arms, as suppliers ship to bigger countries first. The strategy update will likely put further pressure on parliament to ease stringent rules, which forbid the re-export of war material with more than 50% of domestically produced components. Swiss defense exports have slumped by 30% from a record in 2022, as arms producers have started to shift production abroad to circumvent the restrictions. 'Because it refuses to re-export Swiss war material to Ukraine, it is no longer regarded as a reliable partner by European countries,' the government said. 'An increasing number of countries are therefore excluding Switzerland from procurement projects and supply chains.' Earlier this month, NATO member states adopted the alliance's most ambitious military ramp-up since the Cold War. Last week, the Swiss Upper House approved proposals that would reinstate the government's power to permit passing on such arms to conflict zones. The bill still needs approval in parliament's Lower House. Though small in its contribution to economic output, the Swiss policy of ''armed neutrality' has magnified importance of the country's defense sector: Swiss law enshrines the need to maintain an industrial capacity 'adapted to the requirements of its national defense.' Senior officials have expressed fears that a dwindling domestic defense industry lowers Switzerland's negotiating heft with foreign suppliers. More stories like this are available on
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Elon Musk bets on India: Tesla to open showrooms in July; ‘Made in China' EV may cost more than $56,000, says report
Elon Musk-led Tesla plans to inaugurate its first showrooms in India this July, according to informed sources, marking its official entry into the world's third-largest car market, as the company seeks expansion amidst declining sales in European and Chinese markets. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The company's first retail location is scheduled to open in Mumbai by mid July, with a subsequent outlet planned for New Delhi. Documentation indicates that Tesla has imported various components including Supercharger units, vehicle accessories, branded merchandise and spare parts from America, China and the Netherlands. Tesla's first vehicles have been delivered to India - Model Y rear-wheel drive SUVs from Tesla's Chinese manufacturing facility, as confirmed by confidential sources and documentation reviewed by Bloomberg. Model Y holds the position of the best-selling electric vehicle globally. Tesla in India : How much will it cost? Tesla has imported five Model Y vehicles to Mumbai from its Shanghai facility, the report said. The vehicles were valued at 2.77 million rupees ($31,988). They had an import duty of more than 2.1 million rupees. This duty aligns with India's standard 70% tariff plus additional charges on complete imported vehicles priced under $40,000. Sources familiar with the strategy indicate the vehicle will be marketed at a price point above $56,000, excluding taxes and insurance. The final retail price will be determined by Tesla based on their profit requirements and market positioning considerations. Also Read | In comparison, the identical model retails for $44,990 in the United States, with an effective price of $37,490 after applicable tax credits. The substantial price point presents a significant challenge for Tesla's market entry, particularly in convincing cost-conscious Indian buyers. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now According to Indian government vehicle registration data, whilst electric vehicles constitute just over 5% of new passenger vehicle purchases, the premium vehicle segment represents under 2% of total sales. Tesla Showrooms in India With its showrooms finally set to open in India, it ends the uncertainty regarding Tesla's entry into India - a market that has interested but remained inaccessible due to conflicts over tax policies and domestic production requirements. Following Prashanth Menon's exit, Tesla operates without a country head in India whilst actively expanding its recruitment efforts in charging infrastructure, retail operations and policy divisions. The introduction of Model Y imports marks Tesla's initial first into the Indian market, with plans to broaden its portfolio by introducing additional vehicle models. The company is securing warehouse facilities in Karnataka, southern India, and expanding storage capacity in Gurugram, near New Delhi, said sources quoted in the report. No 'Make in India' for Tesla Earlier this month, Heavy Industries Minister Kumara Swamy said that Tesla has expressed no interest in establishing electric vehicle manufacturing facilities in India. Their focus remains solely on opening showrooms in the country. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed concerns about Tesla potentially setting up manufacturing operations in India, describing such a move as 'very unfair'. Also Read | Tesla has shown limited participation in India's electric vehicle manufacturing initiative discussions. Despite attending the first stakeholder consultation regarding the Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Electric Cars in India, Tesla representatives were absent from the following two rounds of discussions.
