Last Updated:June 25, 2025, 15:26 is

WhatsApp ads will be seen in the Status updates and Channels for users but will that be limited to select countries?

WhatsApp ads are coming for our feeds but reports have suggested that people in some countries will be lucky to avoid seeing them on the messaging app. WhatsApp has confirmed the ads will show in Status updates and Channels, assures you will never see ads between your chats. But the company could face regulator scrutiny which hinted its limited release.

However, the platform has responded to these rumours by clarifying the situation and giving us a clearer picture. “The ad rollout, once it begins, will be global and gradual, with no exceptions for the EU or any other region,” Meta has shared the details with us.

WhatsApp Ads, User Data: No Chance

We’ve always felt ads were inevitable on WhatsApp, purely because it is owned by Meta (Facebook back then) and the company had spent north of $19 billion to buy the platform more than 10 years ago. WhatsApp ads will be personalised, like Meta does with other platforms under its roster but promises it will never read your chats or content to make it specific.

The company will be using details like what device you are using, which city/country you live in etc. The EU regulators are strict about these policies, and Meta is well aware of the consequences if you breach any of its rules.

Eventually, WhatsApp is likely to face the wrath of the European Union authorities because of these changes, and that’s what a report has hinted quoted regulators in the EU countries. WhatsApp was quoted to be limiting ads to most regions and this report suggests EU users will avoid seeing ads anywhere, at least until 2026. But the new update from the company means ads will be gradually coming to all regions.

These rules are becoming imperative for all the regions and the US is gradually working its way into a similar structure. But countries like India, where WhatsApp has over 400 million daily active users, have become ripe for these strategies, which will be of concern to its users in the long run.

S Aadeetya

S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally got into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houses covering the latest trends in technology and helping fr…Read More

S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally got into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houses covering the latest trends in technology and helping fr… Read More

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Brussels, Belgium

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