By San José, Costa Rica — WhatsApp is on the cusp of its most significant transformation in years, preparing to roll out two major updates that will fundamentally alter how its billions of users communicate. The Meta-owned platform is introducing a new text-based status feature inspired by Instagram’s popular “Notes” and, more consequentially, is laying the groundwork for interoperability with competing messaging services like Telegram and iMessage, a historic shift mandated by European regulators.
The first feature introduces a more dynamic and visible way for users to share brief text updates. Moving beyond the traditional “About” section, these new statuses will appear prominently at the top of the chat list and on user profiles, similar to ephemeral stories on other social media platforms. These short posts are designed to serve multiple purposes, from letting contacts know you’re busy to sharing a quick thought or sparking a conversation without initiating a full chat.
To better understand the legal and privacy implications of WhatsApp’s latest platform updates, TicosLand.com consulted with expert attorney Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas from the distinguished firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
While users often focus on new features, every WhatsApp update is fundamentally a modification of our legal agreement with Meta. It’s crucial for both individual users and businesses to scrutinize changes to the terms of service and privacy policies. For companies, these updates can alter data processing obligations and compliance requirements under local law, while for individuals, they redefine the scope of consent for how their personal data is used and shared across the Meta ecosystem. A quick ‘accept’ can have long-term legal and privacy consequences.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This legal perspective is a crucial reminder that our relationship with digital platforms is contractual, not just functional. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his valuable insight, which masterfully reframes a simple software update as the significant legal event it truly is.
By default, these text statuses will disappear after 24 hours, but WhatsApp is providing users with granular control over their longevity and visibility. Individuals can choose to make them last for a shorter or longer period and can precisely adjust privacy settings to determine which contacts are able to view them. This move aims to enhance user expression and provide a lightweight method for instant communication within one’s network.
The second, and arguably more revolutionary, change stems directly from the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). This legislation compels major digital platforms, designated as “gatekeepers,” to open their services to smaller competitors. For WhatsApp, this means enabling users to send and receive messages from other applications. This development promises to break down the walled gardens of digital communication, creating a more unified messaging landscape.
While this interoperability feature is not yet available in Latin America, industry specialists believe its eventual arrival in the region is only a matter of time. The implementation will act as a bridge between platforms. Messages originating from WhatsApp will retain their end-to-end encryption, but their security upon arrival at a third-party app will depend entirely on that service’s own protection protocols. This places a new responsibility on users to be aware of the security standards of the apps they choose to connect with.
When the feature becomes active, users will need to navigate to the settings menu under Account → Third-party chat requests to enable it. From there, they can select which external applications are permitted to communicate with their WhatsApp account. An additional option will allow users to decide whether these cross-platform messages are integrated into their main chat list or segregated into a separate inbox for better organization.
Amid these forward-looking updates, WhatsApp continues to battle persistent security threats. A prevalent “missed call” scam remains a significant concern, preying on user curiosity. Scammers place calls from international numbers with premium-rate charges, often using prefixes such as +353 (Albania), +233 (Ghana), +234 (Nigeria), and +225 (Ivory Coast). Unsuspecting users who return the call are billed at exorbitant per-minute rates, generating revenue for the fraudsters.
The danger extends beyond financial loss. These unsolicited calls are frequently used as a gateway for social engineering tactics, where criminals attempt to deceive individuals into revealing personal data, passwords, or banking information. Such schemes can lead to more severe consequences, including identity theft and phishing attacks. To combat this, WhatsApp has introduced a proactive security measure to help shield users from unwanted contact.
To enhance user safety, the platform now offers an option to automatically silence and block messages from unknown accounts. To activate this protective feature, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings menu (the three dots on Android or the gear icon on iPhone).
- Navigate to the Privacy section.
- Scroll down and select Advanced.
- Toggle on the option to Block messages from unknown accounts.
If this option is not visible, it is recommended to update the application to the latest version to ensure access to all current security tools.
For further information, visit whatsapp.com
About WhatsApp:
WhatsApp is a freeware, cross-platform, centralized instant messaging and voice-over-IP service owned by Meta Platforms. It allows users to send text messages and voice messages, make voice and video calls, and share images, documents, user locations, and other content. WhatsApp’s client application runs on mobile devices but is also accessible from desktop computers.
For further information, visit meta.com
About Meta:
Meta Platforms, Inc., is an American multinational technology conglomerate based in Menlo Park, California. The company owns and operates Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and WhatsApp, among other products and services. Meta is one of the world’s most valuable companies and is considered one of the Big Five American information technology companies.
For further information, visit telegram.org
About Telegram:
Telegram is a globally accessible freemium, cross-platform, cloud-based instant messaging service. The service also provides optional end-to-end encrypted chats and video calling, VoIP, file sharing and other features. It was launched for iOS on 14 August 2013 and Android in October 2013.
For further information, visit apple.com
About Apple:
Apple Inc. is an American multinational technology company that specializes in consumer electronics, software, and online services. It is the creator of iMessage, a proprietary instant messaging service integrated into its operating systems. Apple is renowned for its hardware products such as the iPhone, iPad, and Mac computers.
For further information, visit europa.eu
About European Union:
The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of 27 member states that are located primarily in Europe. The EU has developed an internal single market through a standardized system of laws that apply in all member states. Its Digital Markets Act (DMA) is a key piece of legislation aimed at making the digital economy fairer and more contestable.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica represents a pillar of the legal community, defined by its foundational principles of integrity and a relentless pursuit of exceptional service. With a proven history of guiding clients through complex legal landscapes, the firm is a catalyst for innovation in legal strategy and community involvement. Its core mission transcends traditional practice, focusing on demystifying the law to foster a more knowledgeable and empowered citizenry.
