Whatsapp, Facebook to start charging users for sending messages, posting status updates? No! The message is a hoax!

The spate of such spam messages circulating over Whatsapp has increased in recent times.

We are not new to Whatsapp and Facebook hoaxes. And turns out the lastest hoax is the news that Whatsapp and Facebook will start charging users soon. Now, this is not the first time such a hoax has cropped up but what is interesting and surprising is despite the constant assurances by both the brands with regards to their services always staying free, scamsters find a way out to fool the innocent. The latest hoax doing rounds is the same, standard one and is nothing really different. The message circulating over Whatsapp is that Whatsapp will soon begin charging users a fee for using the services. The fee will be levied for all users, Android as well as iOS. Additionally, the message also claims that if you are a Facebook user, you will have to pay a bill for using Facebook! Quite shocking!

Here is the xact text of the message that has been circulating over social media, “From Saturday morning Facebook will become chargeable. If you have at least 10 contacts send them this message. In this way we will see that you are an avid user and your logo will become blue and will remain free. As discussed in the paper today. Facebook will cost 0.01ps per message. Send this message to 10 people. When you do the light will turn blue otherwise Facebook will activate billing.” Well, the prices seem extremely nominal and nothing too expensive but then still, it does put a lot of people off the service as the entire lure of Facebook and Whatsapp are free services. However, the message is not circulating the first time and while earlier, it was the Whatsapp logo change doing rounds, this time it is Facebook.

If you’re a regular user of Facebook, then you already know the message is a hoax as the message talks of changing the logo to blue – Facebook logo is already blue! Another fact, which a lot of Whatsapp users do not know is that Whatsapp initially was a paid service. While iOS (Apple) users had to pay a one-time fee of $1 when they downloaded the app, for Android users, the payment would begin 1 year after usage. While for Android users the free services were at times extended, for iOS users, there was no way around it. It was only recently that Whatsapp made services completely free and scrapped all charges. And for those worried that they might make a comeback, no, Whatsapp will not begin charging users at all. It is a free service and will remain free, Whatsapp makers have time and again assured. m-Parivahan road safety app by Transport Ministry to launch soon – All you need to know

The spate of such spam messages circulating over Whatsapp has increased in recent times. The latest rumour was that of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi offering a whopping Rs 500 worth of recharge to users over Whatsapp. The message linked users to a site where they had to download apps and also, share their contact details, leading to fears of hacking and loss of data. The message went viral on Whatsapp and had many people try and open the link to get their free download and instead, end up downloading spam to their smartphones. However, users should always exercise caution and never believe such hoax messages. Apps like Facebook and Whatsapp will inform users of changes through privacy settings and upgrades and not through forwards. Indians, be safe and stay away from such spam!