WhatsApp has become the de facto messaging app for many smartphone users around the world, with over 2 billion active users. It has been widely used for personal and business communication since 2009, when it was first released.
However, with Facebook recently announcing changes to its privacy policy, some users are considering switching to other messaging apps. What phones will stop using WhatsApp?
The new privacy policy, which will take effect on February 8th, 2021, will allow businesses to have access to user data such as phone numbers and profile information. This has caused concern among some users who are worried about their privacy being compromised. As a result, some people may decide to move away from WhatsApp and look for alternatives.
Unfortunately, if you own an older phone that is not compatible with the latest version of WhatsApp, then you will no longer be able to use the app. This includes phones running on Windows Phone 8.0 or older operating systems and iPhones running iOS 8 or older versions of iOS. Additionally, any phones that don’t support end-to-end encryption (E2EE) will also be unable to use WhatsApp.
Fortunately, there are several options available for those who want to switch away from WhatsApp but still want E2EE-supported messaging services. Some popular options include: Telegram (iOS/Android), iMessages (iOS only), Signal (iOS/Android), Viber (iOS/Android), Line (iOS/Android) and Skype (iOS/Android). Each of these services offer different features and levels of security so it is important to do your research before deciding which one is best for you.
For those who don’t own an iPhone or Android device but still want an E2EE-supported messaging service, there is also the option of using a web-based service such as ProtonMail or Tutanota. Both of these services offer encrypted emails as well as encrypted chat services which can be accessed from any device with an internet connection.
In conclusion, if you own a phone that is not compatible with the latest version of WhatsApp or does not support E2EE encryption then you should consider switching away from the app and look for other secure messaging services instead. There are plenty of alternatives available on both iOS and Android devices as well as web-based services that offer encrypted emails and chat services.
Conclusion: Phones running on Windows Phone 8.0 or older operating systems and iPhones running iOS 8 or older versions of iOS will no longer be able to use WhatsApp due to changes in their privacy policies and lack of end-to-end encryption support respectively. Fortunately, there are several alternative secure messaging options available on both iOS and Android devices as well as web-based services that offer encrypted emails and chat services.