WhatsApp: News
NewsBytes Briefing: Hackers expose massive surveillance oversight, and more
Hackers broke into the secure networks of Verkada Inc., which provides video surveillance and facial recognition solutions to Tesla, Cloudflare, and several government organizations. By "broke in," we mean it used the publicly exposed master password to simply log into their network.
WhatsApp releases voice and video calling feature for desktop client
WhatsApp has released the long-awaited voice and video calling feature for the app's desktop version. The feature doesn't yet support group calls, but it is optimized to work in both portrait and landscape orientations.
NewsBytes Briefing: WhatsApp gets desktop voice calling, and more
Nothing drives innovation more than your consumer base waking up and saying no to the abuse. At least, that seems to be why Facebook has been adding new and shiny features at an impressive rate.
NewsBytes Briefing: Twitter brings Clubhouse to the masses, and more
Even as Clubhouse tries to be a hipster and keep Android users from experiencing its new take on social media, Twitter has cloned the experience for them with Spaces.
Leaked screenshots suggest WhatsApp might roll out self-destructing images
In an upcoming update, Facebook-owned instant messaging service WhatsApp could add a feature which automatically destroys images once viewed, or after a predefined time. The new feature will add to disappearing messages introduced in November 2020.
Sandes messaging app is the government's alternative to WhatsApp
The Indian government's National Informatics Centre (NIC) has developed an instant messaging app called Sandes, which translates into "message" in Hindi. The application was intended for use by government officials but it allows individuals to sign up as well.
WhatsApp will implement updated policy despite global outrage
WhatsApp has reiterated that it will implement its privacy policy despite user backlash and government scrutiny. WhatsApp recently published a blog post reminding its dwindling user base that the privacy policy will come into effect on May 15.
Supreme Court slaps Facebook, WhatsApp with notice over privacy policy
The Supreme Court of India has issued a notice to Facebook and WhatsApp over the ongoing privacy policy concerns. The move comes after the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) had issued a notice to the social media giant on the issue.
NewsBytes Briefing: Musk's army of gamer cyborg monkeys, and more
There is never a dull moment with Elon Musk. At a recent Clubhouse interaction, the world's richest man revealed that his Neuralink start-up has monkeys with brain implants that allow them to play video games with one another.
WFH special: Tips to reduce fatigue from excessive screen time
Excessive use of your phone and/or laptop in these times of WFH leads to a number of discomforts, like migraine, eye pain, and muscle fatigue, among others.
Telegram lures away WhatsApp users with new chat migration tool
Telegram is trying its best to capture users moving away from WhatsApp. Its latest effort involves a tool letting users import chats from WhatsApp, among other messaging services.
WhatsApp isn't mandatory, users can opt out: Delhi High Court
The Delhi High Court (HC) remarked that accepting WhatsApp's updated privacy policy isn't mandatory, and users have the choice of using a competing app if they don't like its Terms of Service (ToS).
Signal beta update adds new features targeted at ex-WhatsAppers
Signal's latest beta (5.3.1) release contains features designed to give the former WhatsApp users a reassuringly familiar experience.
IT Parliamentary panel discusses WhatsApp privacy policy, Trump ban
The standing committee of the Parliament on Information Technology grilled officials of Facebook and Twitter at a meeting on Thursday over their views on the prevention of misuse of online platforms.
WhatsApp responds to Indian government's letter regarding privacy policy update
On Tuesday, the Indian government's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) sent a strongly worded letter to WhatsApp CEO Will Cathcart, asking him to withdraw the recent update to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy for Indian users.
India demands WhatsApp to withdraw new privacy policy
The Indian government has demanded WhatsApp to withdraw its updated privacy policy. It has deemed the messaging service's unilateral changes to be unfair and unacceptable while issuing the ultimatum.
Only 18 percent of surveyed Indians might continue using WhatsApp
In a recent survey conducted by social media platform LocalCircles, it was found that only 18 out of every 100 Indian users surveyed were willing to accept WhatsApp's updated policies and continue using the platform.
Hike messaging service shuts down, leaves app stores
Indian messaging app Hike StickerChat has been shut down. The platform officially closed down today following a Twitter announcement by founder and CEO Kavin Bharti Mittal on January 6.
Signal users report encryption errors; Company claims chat security unaffected
Signal, the privacy-centric messaging service, spent long hours battling a global outage last weekend. The disruption is reported to have been caused by a high influx of new users.
Soon, Reliance may let you order groceries from WhatsApp
Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Retail Ltd. is reportedly working toward embedding JioMart into WhatsApp within the next six months. The move will allow 400-million Indian WhatsApp users to address their grocery needs from neighboring outlets through Ambani's hyperlocal e-commerce platform.
WhatsApp capitulates: Won't implement controversial privacy policy for 3 months
With WhatsApp's clarifications being received with skepticism, the chat app has pushed the deadline for accepting its new Terms of Service (ToS) forward by three months.
WhatsApp's policies under government scrutiny following global outrage
The Terms of Service (ToS) and privacy policy of Facebook-owned messaging service WhatsApp were recently updated. And, the revised documentation is now being scrutinized by the IT Ministry of the Government of India.
TRP scam: WhatsApp chats between Arnab Goswami, ex-BARC CEO leaked
The Mumbai Police, which is probing the alleged TRP (Television Rating Points) scam, has reportedly released alleged WhatsApp chats between Republic TV editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami and ex-CEO of Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC), Partho Dasgupta.
WhatsApp highlights key points in a tweet busting recent rumors
In light of the recent hullabaloo surrounding WhatsApp's disregard for confidentiality of user data, users have flocked to alternative messaging services such as Signal, which reported a sharp increase in new user sign-ups.
WhatsApp group invite links, user profiles accessible via Google search
In a disturbing development, several WhatsApp private groups and user profiles are showing up on Google search, compromising the privacy of users.
WhatsApp claims Terms of Service change only affects business accounts
WhatsApp recently pushed a notification directing users to accept the revised Terms of Service by February 8.
WhatsApp issues ultimatum: Share data with Facebook or lose account
WhatsApp has updated its privacy policy and requires users' consent to share their data with Facebook and associated companies. Failure to agree to the new terms of service will cause your WhatsApp account to become inoperable.
Signal's user count surges after Musk recommends it over WhatsApp
Signal, the privacy-centric messaging service, took to Twitter to thank new users for their support. It also took the opportunity to apologize for delays in delivery of verification codes preventing registration for many new users.
WhatsApp inches closer to launching multi-device support: Details here
WhatsApp has been partially rolling out a new UI for the WhatsApp Web component. The update was a part of the latest 2.21.1.3 beta build available through the Google Play Beta program.
WhatsApp ends support for these smartphones: Details here
Facebook-owned messaging platform WhatsApp has withdrawn support for a number of dated smartphones.
How to use WhatsApp's 'Disappearing Messages' feature on Android, iOS
Earlier this month, WhatsApp introduced a new 'Disappearing Messages' feature that allows users to send self-deleting messages in individual chats as well as group conversations.
After WhatsApp, Facebook brings disappearing messages to Messenger and Instagram
Facebook has introduced a new feature that lets you send disappearing messages on Messenger and Instagram platforms.
WhatsApp's payments service is finally here: How to use it
WhatsApp has launched its payments service in India after receiving a nod from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
WhatsApp introduces new disappearing messages feature: How to use it
WhatsApp is constantly evolving its platform with new features, enhancing the messaging experience for billions of its active users.
Facebook India policy head Ankhi Das quits after hate-speech row
On Tuesday, Ankhi Das stepped down as the head of Facebook's public policy in India, South Asia, and Central Asia.
Here's how to mute a WhatsApp chat forever
WhatsApp has finally introduced a new feature that lets you mute a chat forever. So, if you are a part of an annoying group on the messaging app, chances are you are going to love this new option.
Suzuki Access 125 and Burgman Street, with Bluetooth connectivity, launched
Japanese automaker Suzuki has launched the new Access 125 and Burgman Street scooters in India.
WhatsApp testing new features for Android users: Details here
WhatsApp, the biggest messaging platform in the world, has given a glimpse of a few new features it is developing for Android users.
Deepika Padukone leaves NCB office after six hours of questioning
Actor Deepika Padukone was today questioned for nearly six hours in an ongoing drugs probe linked to fellow actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death case.
NCB summons Deepika Padukone, Shraddha Kapoor, Sara in drug probe
In a major development in the drug probe linked to actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death, fellow actors Deepika Padukone, Shraddha Kapoor, Sara Ali Khan, Rakul Preet Singh have been summoned by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).