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Android Beta Flags €4 WhatsApp Subscription to Remove Updates‑Tab Ads

Meta says the change complies with EU requirements to offer a paid ad‑free alternative.

Overview

  • An Android beta build (v2.26.3.9) shows an in‑app prompt for an ad‑free option priced around €4 per month, which outlets note is not yet final and may vary by country.
  • Advertising is slated for the Updates/Status area with sponsored channels and posts, while personal chats, calls, and groups remain unaffected.
  • On Android, the subscription would be purchased and managed through the Google Play Store, with account changes potentially taking several minutes to take effect.
  • Meta frames the approach as giving users a choice in line with GDPR and the Digital Markets Act, separating an ad‑supported free tier from a paid ad‑free tier.
  • Meta began limited tests in the United States in 2025, and a broader European rollout is expected during 2026, with timing and final pricing still unconfirmed; Meta says ad targeting will rely on signals like language and location, not message contents.