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WA backup on Android will be considered part of 15gb Google One storage. Think starting this month for me. Anyone going to sign up 100gb Google One? WA backup afterall sure have both chats and our commonly shared family videos etc. https://www.wired.com/story/whatsapp-android-google-drive-backup/

Facebook on Thursday announced that it has changed its company name to Meta. The name change was announced at the Facebook Connect augmented and virtual reality conference. The new name reflects the company’s growing ambitions beyond social media. Facebook, now known as Meta, has adopted the new moniker, based on the sci-fi term metaverse, to describe its vision for working and playing in a virtual world. The company also said in announcing the new name that it will change its stock ticker from FB to MVRS, effective Dec. 1. Meta’s stock price closed up on Thursday. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/facebook-changes-name-meta-it-refocuses-virtual-reality-2276266 From what I understand, the rebranding will only take place for its parent company. And for most of us, we probably don't care but why Meta? What's Meta. Here's what Meta means. https://about.facebook.com/meta

WhatsApp launches in-app feature for Singapore users to pay local businesses SINGAPORE — WhatsApp users in Singapore may now pay local businesses through the chat platform, without being redirected to another website or having to open another app. In a press release on Tuesday (May 9), messaging platform WhatsApp said the new feature will enable Singapore residents with a WhatsApp number registered here to pay using credit cards, debit cards or PayNow. It added that the feature — supported by WhatsApp's payments service provider partner, Stripe — will be rolled out to a "small number" of Singapore-based businesses on Tuesday and will be available to more in the coming months. TODAY has asked the company how many businesses already offer this service. The option to enable payments on WhatsApp in Singapore is available to local businesses using the WhatsApp Business Platform. WhatsApp added that other local businesses interested in offering this feature to customers may work with one of their four partners — Vonage, Gupshup, 360dialog and Clare.AI to get started. Such a service is also available on other platforms such as Chinese messaging application WeChat and Japanese messaging service LINE. However, Whatsapp remains one of the more popular messaging platforms here. Ms Stephane Kasriel, the head of FinTech at Meta, which owns WhatsApp said the new feature would be "seamless" and "secure". https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/whatsapp-launches-app-feature-singapore-users-pay-local-businesses-2167001 interesting initiative though many people in SG are already on PayNow, paylah, etc. and some more businesses have to be on Whatsapp Business Platform to use this. adoption rate may be slow. anyways, see how it goes.

Down? Or just my phone. Almost like dejavu when we had the SPH server outage.

source: https://www.hardwarezone.com.sg/tech-news-you-can-now-move-whatsapp-chat-history-telegram You can now move your chat history from WhatsApp or other instant messaging apps to Telegram. In a blog post, Telegram shared that video and documents from WhatsApp, Line and KakoTalk can be moved to its iOS and Android app. This works for both individual chats and groups. Below are the steps for doing so: For iOS users, they can open the Contact Info or Group Info page in WhatsApp, tap Export Chat, and choose Telegram in the Share Menu. For Android users, they can open a WhatsApp chat, tap ⋮ > More > Export Chat, then choose Telegram in the Share menu. Messages will be imported into the current day and will also include the original timestamps. For group chats, all members will also see the messages. Telegram also rolled out enhancements to some features such as improved voice chats, improved audio player and new Android animations.

https://www.independent.co.uk/tech/whatsapp-down-not-working-status-b2209835.html WhatsApp has broken, with users unable to send or receive messages. The world’s most popular messaging app appears to have stopped working, potentially affecting billions of users. The app would allow people to type messages to friends and then press send. But they then became stuck, never actually delivering. Time to go use those free SMSes.

https://www.techspot.com/news/88207-whatsapp-forcing-users-share-data-facebook-unless-youre.html WhatsApp is forcing users to share data with Facebook, unless you're living in the EU Surrender your personal data, or else By Adrian Potoroaca, on January 7, 2021, 9:07 PM 15 comments What just happened? Apple's latest iOS privacy update is pushing companies like Facebook into fight of flight mode. This is why WhatsApp has decided to impose a new policy on its users if they want to continue using the service, with the exception of people who live in the EU. This week, Facebook-owned WhatsApp started giving users a pop-up alert that looks a lot like an ultimatum for people who want to continue using the app. Essentially, it says that people need to agree to new terms of service by February 8 or risk losing access to your WhatsApp next month. The revamped set of requirements is also a reversal on a one-time decision in 2016 that allowed users to opt out of having their account data turned over to Facebook. This includes phone numbers, friends' phone numbers, profile names and pictures, status messages and activity status, as well as detailed diagnostic data from app logs. However, the new policy means Facebook reserves the right to share the data collected within its family of online platforms. Furthermore, there will be cases where Facebook decides to share that data with third parties, which has privacy groups riled up again. The move is in response to Apple's new privacy labels on iOS 14, which highlight all the different ways certain free apps collect information about their users. This was particularly revealing for the Facebook family of apps, which happens to have the most extensive list of all. It shouldn't come as a big surprise that Facebook is so adamant in collecting all that metadata, as the company makes most of its revenue from advertising. Last month, it plunged into a public image feud with Apple using several newspaper ads, but their effect has yet to produce any results. As for the Cupertino company, they say they're simply encouraging app makers to be more forthcoming with how they monetize their apps. When WhatsApp's in-app alert hit the first users, some speculated that it would spark regulatory scrutiny in the EU, which is known for having stricter privacy rules. However, WhatsApp's Irish subsidiary said in a statement today that while European users are shown the same prompt to agree to the revamped privacy policy, in their case it doesn't include sharing that data with Facebook's other online platforms or third parties. A WhatsApp spokeswoman explained "there are no changes to WhatsApp’s data sharing practices in the European region arising from the updated terms of service and privacy policy. For the avoidance of any doubt, it is still the case that WhatsApp does not share European region WhatsApp user data with Facebook for the purpose of Facebook using this data to improve its products or advertisements." This was further confirmed by the company's director of policy for the EMEA region, Niamh Sweeney. The fact still remains that users outside the EU have to agree to a higher degree of data sharing, stressing the need for tougher privacy regulation in the United States, as well as other regions with permissive environments. In the meantime, smaller iOS developers are getting creative with how they subvert Apple's privacy update for iOS users. 15 comments 342 interactions

WASHINGTON: Facebook-owned WhatsApp said Thursday (Nov 5) it would introduce disappearing messages on WhatsApp, a move ramping up its challenge to rival Snapchat. The messaging service used by more than two billion people globally said it would enable people to choose whether to keep their messages or allow them to delete themselves after seven days. "Today, WhatsApp messages often live on our phones forever. While it's great to hold onto memories from friends and family, most of what we send doesn't need to be everlasting," a WhatsApp blog post said. "Our goal is make conversations on WhatsApp feel as close to in-person as possible, which means they shouldn't have to stick around forever. That's why we're excited to introduce the option to use disappearing messages on WhatsApp." Facebook previously introduced a similar option for its Messenger platform, following on the heels of Snapchat, which has amassed a strong following among young smartphone users. WhatsApp chose a seven-day window "because we think it offers peace of mind that conversations aren't permanent, while remaining practical so you don't forget what you were chatting about," the blog post said. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/business/whatsapp-disappearing-messages-facebook-snapchat-13473438

A new member registered himself to MCF just to ask "Hey, is there any WhatsApp group to join?", "Errr... Can add me to Telegram", "Can I have the Group to Facebook?" It is like walking into a Chicken Rice stall to buy drinks and never order chicken to eat.. and left for good once thirst quenched. Recently I notice traffic here getting lower... For me Forum is still a better place to discuss and share news or matter related to cars etc.. ok pls shoot me!

Anyone here updated yet ? https://www.cnbc.com/video/2019/05/14/whatsapp-issues-patch-for-spyware-breach.html Sounds serious , but what I am baffle is the company that actually did it

Hi all...my phone line has no autoroam....and going overseas....if i buya singaporeprepaid card or the country prepaid card can i still use whatsapp and tango over the free wifi even without my actual sim card inside

https://www.hardwarezone.com.sg/tech-news-whatsapp-said-be-working-introduce-ads-ios-app Bad news.. If you are using WhatsApp on the iPhone, ads could be coming your way soon! WABetaInfo, who has a solid track record of providing accurate information about upcoming WhatsApp features, claims that Facebook is already working on introducing ads to the iOS version of the instant messaging app. Ads will reportedly appear within the WhatsApp Status where you typically share photo and video montages to your contacts. It is not known how these ads will be targeted. Facebook could associate phone numbers with user profiles on the social networking site. The ad feature is said to be still in testing phase and may take a while before it is implemented. As and when that happens, users may flock to other instant messaging apps such as Telegram.

Hi all, Just came across a situation in a What'sApp group. Actually there is this What'sApp group in my What'sApp of the group of friends in secondary school which we have been in contact since after leaving secondary school. There is also a friend we have been together since tertiary school but not from the same secondary school. We created this What'sApp group since the day What'sApp can allow group chats and we have been talking cock and many personal things since then for years. Suddenly yesterday the group admin suddenly added one of the ex-secondary school mate that most of us are not even classmates with or known of and do not even know or talk to in the secondary school times. One of my friends even told me personally that he do not know who is this person even we all are from the same secondary school. He say with the presence of this newly added stranger, it is better not to talk about personal things among those in the group chat for years, since most of us do not know him and have not realy get contact with him since after secondary school. This probably makes sense. Should we just remove this person from the group chat and create a new group chat with this new person? Or should we create a new group chat with our own circle of people and rename the existing one and let it run by another group chat itself?

Anyone subscribe to WAVEE by Singtel ? How was it? Yahoo news: Singtel Takes On WhatsApp With Their Own Chat App, Wavee This article originally appeared on Vulcan Post. Early this morning, Singtel announced the launch of Wavee, a “next-generation IP-based communications app”, similar to the likes of popular messaging apps WhatsApp, Line, and WeChat. The app will allow users to not only send messages, but also make high-quality voice and video calls. Wavee shares many popular features with other communications apps: Send videos and photos to friends Create group chats Share a location Stickers (locally-themed) Sketching function — allows users to send a sketch, either over a photo or with a solid colour. Wave also has an additional feature that allow users to send messages and files while making a voice call within the app. Another interesting development is that Android users have the option to integrate SMSes into their Wavee message inbox, making Wavee the central location for all incoming messages into their phones. Singtel says that this service will soon be available to iOS users as well. By the end of 2015, Wavee will also allow users to make calls to any local number. Mr Johan Buse, Singtel’s VP for Consumer Marketing, said, “People are looking for richer, more seamless and personal ways of communicating. With Wavee, we are giving our customers a holistic, end-to-end service.” This is the first time a local telco has launched a service like this, which is interesting, as Singtel has been notably the most vocal in claiming that telcos should be allowed to charge Internet content providers like WhatsApp for the use of their network services. “The main problem we have as an industry is we have been unable to monetise this increased demand…and [average revenue per user]has fallen over time,” SingTel chief executive Chua Sock Koong had said early last year. “I think the pace of change in our industry is relentless so clearly we can’t afford to stand still.” Well, if you can’t beat them, join them? Wavee is available on Android and iOS. Link: https://sg.news.yahoo.com/singtel-takes-whatsapp-own-chat-030144218.html

Wahhhhhhhhhh.................. no more secret messages in WhatsApp leow ...... Yahoo news: Facebook closes big-ticket buy of WhatsApp Facebook on Monday completed its buy of mobile messaging application WhatsApp, with the mostly stock deal tallying nearly $22 billion. The acquisition was given the colossal price tag of $19 billion when the deal was struck in February, but a rise in Facebook shares has pushed the value even higher. "We are looking forward to connecting even more people around the world, and continuing to create value for the people who use WhatsApp," Facebook said in a statement emailed to AFP. Terms of the deal include WhatsApp co-founder Jan Koum remaining head of the company and taking a seat on the Facebook board of directors. Koum's salary will be one dollar a year, according to a filing Monday with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. The symbolic annual pay mirrors that of Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg. WhatsApp co-founder Brian Acton will remain with the company under terms of the acquisition, which promises "inducement grants" of millions of shares of stock that will incrementally vest during the coming four years for Koum and Acton if they remain with the company, according to Facebook. European Union regulators on Friday cleared the buyout of the WhatsApp mobile messaging service by Facebook, despite opposition by telecom companies afraid of the growing power of US technology giants. In a statement explaining its approval of the deal, the European Commission, the EU's executive arm, said Facebook and WhatsApp were "not close competitors" and that consumers would continue to have a "wide array of choices". "We have carefully reviewed this proposed acquisition and come to the conclusion that it would not hamper competition in this dynamic and growing market," EU Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said in a statement. Facebook, the world's biggest social network, announced the buyout of the WhatsApp messenger service, used by 600 million people, in February and US authorities approved the deal in April. The buyout included 177 million Facebook shares, plus $4.59 billion in cash. In addition, the social network agreed to provide 45.9 million restricted shares to WhatsApp employees. link: https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/facebook-closes-big-ticket-buy-whatsapp-192403177.html Used to get a lots of videos on WhatApp and now with Facebook taking over, nothing can stop the videos from leaking out if hack by hackers ...

Time to avoid singtel. the dumbass woman doesn't seem to understand how the internet works. might as well start charging for email too....

Facebook said it will pay $19 billion in cash and stock to acquire smartphone-messaging app WhatsApp Inc., a deal that further emphasizes the social network's mobile push. WhatsApp allows users to send text messages free over the Internet, bypassing wireless carriers that may charge users to send messages over their networks. Texting apps are especially costing wireless carriers, which for years relied on the services for the bulk of their revenue. WhatsApp claims 450 million people use its service each month and 70% of those people are active on a given day. It also claims it is adding more than 1 million new registered users a day. "WhatsApp is on a path to connect 1 billion people," said Facebook founder and Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg. WhatsApp will continue to operate independently and retain its brand, while co-founder and CEO Jan Koum will join Facebook's board, bringing the total number of members to nine. WhatsApp will remain based in Mountain View, Calif., and Facebook said its own messenger app and WhatsApp's core messaging product will continue to operate as separate applications. Facebook said in a regulatory filing that it would acquire all outstanding stock and options in WhatsApp for about 183.9 million of its shares, valued at about $12 billion. The deal also includes $4 billion in cash and an additional $3 billion in restricted stock units to be granted to WhatsApp's founders and employees. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal in December, Mr. Koum attributed the company's steady growth to his company's "focus on messaging." Unlike competing messaging apps that make money with advertising or games, "we want to get out of the way. We want to let people have a conversation." At the time, he also said the company had no plans to sell or launch an initial public offering or seek new funding. The deal marks the latest signal that Facebook is willing to pay huge sums to acquire rival apps that gain sway with consumers. The company in 2012 agreed to pay $1 billion in cash and stock to buy Instagram, a popular app used to help people share photos. Facebook also reportedly offered to pay close to $3 billion or more to acquire messaging service Snapchat, though that offer was spurned. Facebook was slow to embrace a global shift away from desktop computing to mobile phones, opening it up to scrutiny from investors since its IPO in 2012. But its latest quarterly results illustrated the company is managing that transition as mobile advertising now makes up more than half of its total advertising revenue. In the event the merger is terminated if regulatory approval isn't achieved, Facebook would pay WhatsApp a $1 billion cash breakup fee and issue $1 billion in Facebook shares. Facebook was advised by Allen & Co. LLC and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, while WhatsApp was advised by Morgan Stanley and Fenwick & West LLP. Facebook intends to host a conference call later Wednesday to discuss the merger. The news sent Facebook shares down about 3% in after-hours trading.

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Hi anyone knows, if I use a prepaid card to register for a Whatsapp account and not topping up the card after it expires, will the whatsapp still available? Thank you.

I m like WTF when the new plain ugly interface appeared on my phone (android) and there's no way to change it back Anyone with the same experience care to share?