Where there is a form of mass communication there will be spam. It seems that the more we try and develop communication platforms that enhance our privacy, the more people find a way of just using it spam you. Yes, I’m looking at you DA and pretty much every insurance company out there. In fact, it’s platforms that are supposed to be the most private, like email and WhatsApp, that are abused most.
This is something which WhatsApp wants to see greatly reduced, as the company has announced that it plans to start taking legal action against those who send bulk and “non-personal” messages through its system, and against those who help others to spam WhatsApp users. In fact, the company is not just looking at actual abuse and plans to act against any company that publicly claims they can use WhatsApp to send big message blasts
This serves as notice that we will take legal action against companies for which we only have off-platform evidence of abuse if that abuse continues beyond December 7, 2019, or if those companies are linked to on-platform evidence of abuse before that date,
The company obviously wants to take the privacy of its user seriously, as many people may be put off from using the app if it will somehow result in receiving spam messages from businesses. WhatsApp still envisages building more business supporting features on its platform, but the purpose of this should be aimed at one-on-one communication with individuals who want to be contacted and not for the purpose of broadcast messages that get sent out to multiple people.
I think it’s a great initiative, though unfortunately looks like it will only focus on big businesses and not that aunt who feels the need to forward every little message, image and meme to your family WhatsApp group. Now those are people that should really be targeted. Sadly, getting old ladies to stop doing that is as difficult as getting the DA to stop sending you messages and phone calls during election time.
Last Updated: June 14, 2019
Darren Peach
June 13, 2019 at 14:43
What about all the spam I get to use Whats App ?
Admiral Chief
June 13, 2019 at 14:43
Finally I can block and report that spammer Andre
Raptor Rants
June 13, 2019 at 15:07
I can finally block and report you!
Yahtzee
June 13, 2019 at 15:07
funny story…
This one time at band camp…
Admiral Chief
June 13, 2019 at 15:08
Stuur hy ook sulke weird kak vir jou?
Gr8_Balls_o_Fire
June 18, 2019 at 10:20
WhatsApp isn’t secure in the first place. The thing reads your messages and places ads on your facebook feed based on what you chat about.