WhatsApp rolls out ads in Updates section as Meta monetizes the messaging app. Discover how this changes your private messaging experience forever.

Today, @WhatsApp is introducing new features in the Updates tab (like channel subscriptions, promoted channels and ads in Status) without changing anything about your personal chats (they remain end to end encrypted). https://t.co/agscs7n1o6 — Meta Newsroom (@MetaNewsroom) June 16, 2025

WhatsApp introduces ads and channel subscriptions in the Updates tab, but reassures users that private chats remain fully encrypted.

Meta is adding three ad features to WhatsApp. This represents the company’s most significant monetization push for the messaging platform, which has become a global communication standard across multiple continents.

OpenAI made the announcement on X, formerly known as Twitter. The company wrote, “ChatGPT image generation is now available in WhatsApp via 1-800-ChatGPT. Now available to everyone.” Another post stated, “Don't forget to link your ChatGPT account to 1-800-ChatGPT in WhatsApp to get more image generations.”