WhatsApp rolls out ads in its Updates tab, a first for the app, and Meta will collect some data to target the ads, but says it has no plans to put ads in chats
here's where you'll see them (and where you won't) Capital Brief : Meta to roll out ads on WhatsApp and offer paid subscriptions Katie Hicks / Marketing Brew : Ads are coming to WhatsApp Colin Kirklan...
The GSMA announces the latest RCS standard supports interoperable E2EE between platforms; Apple says it will add support for the standard in future OS updates
iPhones will soon get encrypted RCS messaging to Androids Matt Milano / WebProNews : Encrypted RCS Coming to iOS and Android Andrew Cunningham / Ars Technica : RCS texting updates will bring end-to-en...
The GSMA announces the new RCS standard supports interoperable E2EE between platforms; Apple says it will add support for the standard in a future update
'We will add support for end-to-end encrypted RCS messages to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS in future software updates.'
An interview with WhatsApp Product Director Alice Newton-Rex on end-to-end encryption, spotting misinformation, the UK's Online Safety Act, Telegram, and more
The messaging platform's director of product discusses privacy issues, AI and new features for the app's 2bn users X: @cristinacriddle , @gateklons , @aservais1 , and @1br0wn X: Cristina Criddle / @cr...
The GSM Association plans to enable E2EE on messages between Android and iOS; Google is working to bring cross-platform E2EE to RCS chats “as soon as possible”
E2EE prevents third parties, like your messaging service or cell carrier, from viewing your texts.
Meta says WhatsApp now has more than 100M MAUs in the US and that more than 50% of WhatsApp users in the country have an iPhone; WhatsApp has 2B+ MAUs globally
Watch Out iMessage Sheena Vasani / The Verge : WhatsApp now has 100 million monthly users in the US GSMArena.com : WhatsApp reaches 100 million monthly users in the US Mahmoud Itani / Android Authorit...
Some iPhone users running the latest iOS 18 beta report being able to send and receive RCS messages on select US carriers
here's what you need to know Ivan Mehta / TechCrunch : Apple finally adds support for RCS in latest iOS 18 beta Abdullah / Gizchina : RCS Compatibility Between iOS and Android Is Finally Here! iClarif...
Apple says Messages will support RCS in iOS 18, replacing SMS as the default communication protocol between Android and iOS devices, but gives few details
Allison Johnson / The Verge :
Google partners with RapidSOS, a platform for emergency first responders, to let users contact 911 via RCS, from December and initially only in Google Messages
Ivan Mehta / TechCrunch :
Google rolls out Gemini to some Google Messages beta users with RCS enabled on select Pixel and Galaxy devices, letting users chat to Gemini over RCS
Following the announcement a month ago, Gemini is starting to roll out for some Google Messages beta users.