Popular smartphone app WhatsApp, which allows you to message other users on different platforms running the same app at the fraction of the cost of an SMS, has denied sending out any messages stating that it is about to start charging users.
The message reads as follows:
WhatsApp is going to cost us money soon. The only way that it will stay free is if you are a frequent user i.e. you have at least 10 people you are chatting with. To become a frequent user send this message to 10 people who receive it (2 ticks) and your WhatsApp logo should turn Red to indicate a frequent user.
WhatsApp has responded on their blog after they got numerous emails from users of the smartphone app about hoax message doing the round on the instant message application, stating that this is a hoax and there is no truth to it.
Another hoax message has now also started doing the rounds, this time stating that WhatsApp will be shutting down on 28 Jan and if you do not forward the message to your contacts you will be deemed inactive and your account will be deleted withing 48 hours.
WhatsApp will not be shutting down any time soon, nor will they start charging you if you do not forwards messages to your contacts, if they really wanted to contact other WhatsApp users don’t you think they can just simply message you directly?
Except WhatsApp do charge. There’s an annual fee of $2 for the service, just had to pay about a month ago.
That’s weird Duane, I am aware of the fee after 1 year, but last year just before my expiry date I got a message from whatsapp saying that they have extended it. Now on my iPhone there is no mention of any fees or expiry date.
Why is whatsapp charging me. I have been using it since October last year……..other people dont get charged….why is this….I have to buy airtime on a daily basis
Hi Lee, they are not charging you, WhatsApp does make use of your cellphone’s data to be able to send and receive message. This does work out considerably cheaper than sending sms messages but when you start sending and receiving pictures this can become expensive as pictures use allot more data.
I’ve used Whats App successfully on my Nokia for about six months and have now changed to an iPhone (today). Imagine my disappointment when the only way I can download it is through iTunes and it’s not available on the SA site. (It costs iPhone users 99 US cents by the way.) Seriously irritated with Apple …
Tracey see http://www.igeek.co.za/2010/10/18/get-a-us-itunes-account-in-south-africa/ on how to open an US iTunes account. I cant recall that I had to pay $0.99 when I downloaded it but still not that bad priced.
someone must have been really bored. whatsapp would never pull such a maneuver
I’ve got a problem with my phone it keeps automatically connecting to the internet. I have spoken to my service provider who referred me to Nokia. I am using Nokia E63. I have contacted Nokia who verified that my phone has been set to connect to internet only “when needed”. The service provider then said that WhatsApp is the one that keeps connecting me to internet because WhatsApp need the internet to be running 24 hours. This is costing a lot of money and would like to know – How true is that?
Hi Jack, the reason WhatsApp need to be connected the whole time is to check for new messages and deliver them to you.
Does that mean the phone will always be connected to the internet and charging the owner internet costs? I was thinking that WhatsApp only connect to the internet when the message is either sent or received.
I am not receiving messages from one of my contacts which is listed in favorites..I have saved the persons number with full code..before I used to receive her msgs but now all of a sudden it stopped.I dont understand this problem.and also when she sends me the msg.she gets the 2 green marks too indicating it got delivered to me..but I dont find any msgs of hers..Could you please help me out..
Hi im using Nokia X2-01, 2 months i had whatapp on this phone but i deleted it yet when im tryng to download again it keep on saying “link is not available, try again later and i have phoned my service provider and they are saying the problem is on whatapp because am able to connect to internet
my whatsapp expired about a week ago,i got a link that tels me to dwnload th latest version,but when i try to do tht it only dwnloads 7% (247 kb) does any1 knw why that is?Mlie
I set up my account up on the 02 December 2011 and paid for it(Free trial). Although I keep getting messages that I should forward this message to everyone on my contact list or they wil suspend my account and delete my contacts. Does anyone know how to tell a hoax mesg from a real one, because it’s not funny anymore.
im charged inr 1 daily even if watsapp was free for a year. Its been 3 months since i’m using it. Why does it charge then with my internet plan activated?
@ Neha try to save the number using + then code not the 00, but still though u are supposed to receive the messages, even without the number saved as long as u both on whatsapp. Will check for u though
i have goten these msg to on whatsapp. Didnt wnt to believe it. Yesterday whn login in on whatsapp i couldnt. Bt there was a msg to say my whatsapp is old n hav to download the new version. They even gave the site address. I wnt in it and it said if u payed already u not going to b charged agen. What a lie they took all my airtime. I think ill stay with fb.
Thank goodness! I honestly don’t know what I’d do without it – I can’t even remember the last time I sent an SMS!
ITS ALL WE NEED AS SOUTH AFRICNS BT DISCIMINATION AFRICANS
my whatsapp keeps throwing up a message stating my trial date will end in 13 days and i can pay via paypal or google problem is i dont have a credit card in order to do the required transaction personally i think its stupid that you need a credit card in order to pay for whatsapp and the fact that, that is the only way you can pay for your whatsapp
So Catherine, what happened? Did your Whatsapp stop working on 26 Nov ? Please reply.
get someone with a credit card to pay for you. I paid a friends.
Mine runs out on 19/2/2013. Now going to cost63p to eextend. Why??. I phone is free. Been using it for 3 yrs