By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.
Accept
Okay.ngOkay.ngOkay.ng
Font ResizerAa
  • News
    • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Business & Economy
  • Sport
  • Tech
Reading: WhatsApp Users To Receive Adverts In Form Of Messages
Share
Font ResizerAa
Okay.ngOkay.ng
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Business & Economy
  • Sport
  • Tech
Search
  • News
    • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Business & Economy
  • Sport
  • Tech
Follow US
  • About Okay.ng
  • Advertising on Okay.ng
  • Contact Okay.ng
  • Careers
  • Meet the Team behind Okay.ng
  • Ownership and Funding of Okay.ng
  • Editorial Principles at Okay.ng
© OKN MEDIA PUBLISHING 2022 - All rights reserved
NewsTech

WhatsApp Users To Receive Adverts In Form Of Messages

Damilola A.
By Damilola A.
Published: August 26, 2016
Share
4 Min Read
SHARE

whatsapp-1-1-1-1

Contents
Data sharingMarketing messages

WhatsApp says it will begin sharing more data with Facebook and will start letting some companies send messages to users.

It is the first time the company has changed its privacy policy since the firm was bought by Facebook in 2014.

WhatsApp will now share users’ phone numbers with the social network, which it will use to provide “more relevant” friend suggestions and advertisements.

- Advertisement -

One analyst said some people might feel “betrayed” by the move.

Data sharing

WhatsApp said sharing users’ phone numbers with Facebook would help tackle spam and abuse, as well as offer people “better friend suggestions and more relevant ads”.

Using the data, Facebook will be able to match people who have exchanged phone numbers, but have not added one another as “friends” on the social network.

WhatsApp will also share information about when people last used the service, but said it would not share the contents of messages, which are encrypted.

- Advertisement -

“Your encrypted messages stay private and no-one else can read them. Not WhatsApp, not Facebook, nor anyone else,” the company said in a blogpost.

The company said users would be able to opt out of sharing information with Facebook by following the steps outlined on its website.

“When WhatsApp was acquired by Facebook it was able to reassure users that it would remain independent,” said Pamela Clark-Dickson, principal analyst at Ovum.

“Now it’s giving Facebook phone numbers – some might say that’s a betrayal of trust. In a small way, it has gone back on what it said it wouldn’t do.”

Marketing messages

The updated privacy policy also paves the way for businesses to send messages to WhatsApp users.

The company suggested messages typically sent via SMS text message – such as airline flight alerts or bank balance updates – could be sent via WhatsApp instead.

It said that in addition to appointment information and delivery notifications, it would also allow “marketing” messages.

“Messages you may receive containing marketing could include an offer for something that might interest you,” the company said.

Ms Clark-Dickson said users may not mind the service “if they can opt in and the messages are useful”.

“It will help them generate revenue if they charge businesses a fee to send messages,” she told the BBC.

“But WhatsApp needs to be careful, a lot of people use it because they don’t get advertising there.”

The company said it would test such messaging features in the coming months, but promised to avoid a “spammy experience” where people are inundated with ads, and said it would not display so-called banner ads in its app.

Other messaging apps such as China’s WeChat have already enabled business-to-consumer communication to great success, but Ms Clark-Dickson suggested WhatsApp would take a different approach.

“WeChat is a content-driven platform,” she told the BBC.

“It opened up its platform to third parties, letting people make payments, book taxis. That seems to be the direction Facebook is taking Messenger.

“WhatsApp has the potential to be a great communication facility, if it concentrates on a solid user experience as its differential.”

Source: BBC

Stay Updated on the Go with Our Latest News—Join Our WhatsApp Channel Now!
Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp Telegram Email Copy Link Print
ByDamilola A.
Entertainment News Reporter
Follow:
Damilola is a dedicated entertainment writer for Okay Nigeria (Okay.ng). He joined the platform with the aim of using his experience in the Entertainment industry to share wonderful articles in this field. Dammy is a die-hard fan of Wizkid.
Previous Article How to Solve Nigeria’s Current Economic Problems – Charles Soludo
Next Article President Buhari Summons CBN Governor, Emefiele Over Sanusi’s Criticism

Connect with Okay on Social

FacebookLike
XFollow
InstagramFollow
TelegramFollow

Dollar/Naira Rates

Dollar to Naira Rate

Okay.ng Logo
Buy Rate ₦1,560.00
Sell Rate ₦1,570.00

Updated: 1 day ago

Displayed rates are for informational purposes only and are subject to change.

Quick Converter

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

Recent Posts

Nigerian Troops Neutralize Terror Kingpin Mai Dada, Recover Arms in Multi-Region Operations
Security
NNPP Welcomes Possibility of Rabiu Kwankwaso Joining APC Amidst Ganduje’s Resignation
News
Tinubu’s State Visit to Saint Lucia Marks Historic Diplomatic and Cultural Engagement, Presidency Clarifies
International News
President Bola Tinubu Suspends Implementation of Financial Reporting Council Amendment Act 2023
News
Aminu Dantata to be Buried in Madinah After Saudi Approval
News
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

You May Also Like

CrimeVideo

VIDEO: NDLEA Issues Strong Advisory to Travellers Against Carrying Unknown Bags

Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
June 29, 2025
News

SERAP Demands Transparency from Nigeria’s Governors on Security Vote Spending

Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
June 29, 2025
NewsSecurity

Security Situation Improving, CDS Urges Continued Support from Nigerians

Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
June 29, 2025
Okay.ngOkay.ng
Follow US
© OKN MEDIA PUBLISHING 2025 - All rights reserved
  • About Okay.ng
  • Advertising on Okay.ng
  • Contact Okay.ng
  • Careers
  • Meet the Team behind Okay.ng
  • Ownership and Funding of Okay.ng
  • Editorial Principles at Okay.ng
adbanner
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?