WhatsApp has announced that it’s adding ads to the popular messaging app, though the initial implementation promises to be relatively restrained. In a recent Meta blog post, the company revealed that it was adding adverts to the app’s Updates tab.

WhatsApp has confirmed it's making a major change to its chat app, which will mean users across the globe will suddenly face seeing adverts on the screen. These are destined for a section called Updates, which sit in a tab at the bottom of the screen.

WhatsApp is rolling out ads on parts of the platform, but assures users that personal messages, calls and statuses will remain end-to-end encrypted and private.

The cofounders of WhatsApp resisted ads in the app for years, including after the company was acquired by Meta for $22 billion in 2014. Brian Acton and Jan Koum left the company in 2017 and 2018, respectively, and on Monday Meta introduced ads in the “Status” feature as well as sponsored Channels in the the “Updates” tab of WhatsApp.

ChatGPT’s image generator is now on WhatsApp, allowing users to create AI images by chatting with the AI chatbot.

ChatGPT has introduced a significant enhancement on WhatsApp, as OpenAI has officially launched image creation features via the verified number 1-800-ChatGPT.