WhatsApp Explores Ads in Chat App as Meta Seeks Revenue Boost

WhatsApp is exploring a new feature that would display adverts in the app for the first time, a move that has caused internal controversy, as parent company Meta seeks to monetise the world's most popular messaging service. From a report: Teams at Meta have been discussing whether to show ads in lists of conversations with contacts on the WhatsApp chat screen, but no final decisions have been made, according to three people familiar with the matter. However, the concept has been debated at a high level within the company, due to concerns it would alienate users, said a person with close knowledge of the discussions. Two of these people said that Meta is also deliberating whether to charge a subscription fee to use the app ad-free, but many insiders are against the move. Before WhatsApp was acquired by Facebook for $19bn in 2014, its co-founder Brian Action had made "No ads! No games! No gimmicks!" a company mantra.

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