For over a decade, WhatsApp has been the major messaging app for people to keep in touch with close family and friends, share pictures and messages, audio, and documents. Over the years, several updates have been rolled out, each bringing a new feature that many fans approved of. For instance, WhatsApp Status replaced the old profile-picture-only experience, and the addition of voice and video calls was widely welcomed.
Still, there are several updates that many users wish had never happened.
The Channels feature has never really caught on with many users. Despite the surge of celebrity channels and communities, a lot of people still prefer to keep their WhatsApp communication focused on close family and friends rather than follow creators and public figures.
Another unpopular change is the Status privacy change, which can allow unsaved numbers you have recently interacted with to view your Status updates. Compartmentalizing contacts is one of the main ways users maintain privacy. For many people, the appeal of WhatsApp has always been privacy and intimacy—saving the numbers of friends and family members they are comfortable sharing personal updates with. Having a conversation or two with someone does not necessarily mean you want that person to have access to your Status.
The WhatsApp username feature has not fully rolled out yet, but many users are already skeptical. Their concern is that it could push WhatsApp further away from being a messaging app for close family and friends and make it feel more like every other social media platform.
Then there are the unwanted Status ads. This is despite founders Jan Koum and Brian Acton previously vowing to keep the platform free of ads when they created it in 2009. These days, many WhatsApp users cannot scroll through their Status updates without running into random sponsored posts and ad options.
Mariam Emily Adama is a copywriter, SEO strategist, and digital marketer passionate about using words to inform, inspire, and influence. With over seven years of experience writing for global brands and managing digital campaigns, she brings a data-driven yet creative approach to content creation. When she’s not writing or analyzing trends, Mariam enjoys exploring new cultures, reading, and documenting stories that celebrate African excellence.