Meta, which said it will replace third-party fact checkers in the US with a community notes system, will see how the change plays out before deciding about a transition in other regions, Mendelsohn said in an interview with Bloomberg Television’s Francine Lacqua at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Monday.

WABetaInfo reports that WhatsApp is introducing a new registration experience for tablets across iPad and Android. The iPad version reportedly supports direct account registration with passkey authentication, while Android tablets are testing a simplified setup screen for choosing between companion mode and primary device registration. The changes are expected to remove several limitations associated with linked devices, although the Android implementation remains limited to selected beta testers for now.

WhatsApp Business announced a new token-based billing model for the AI-powered Meta Business Agent on Wednesday. The Meta-owned messaging platform also reinstated charges for certain business messages as part of a major overhaul of the WhatsApp Business Platform's pricing structure. Instead of individual messages, businesses using the Meta Business Agent will now be charged based on token consumption. The company will also resume charging for service and select utility messages on WhatsApp Business later this year.

WhatsApp recently announced its long-awaited ‘usernames’ feature, which lets users communicate without sharing their phone numbers. While its rollout is still in the infancy stage, the feature is said to have come under the scrutiny of the Government. According to a report, authorities fear it could also make online scams and impersonation attempts more difficult to trace. The Meta-owned instant messaging platform has been asked not to launch “usernames” in India till consultations are complete.

Instagram announced new story creation tools for Ray-Ban Meta, Oakley Meta, and the new Meta Glasses on Wednesday. The Redmond-based tech giant is bringing native editing tools for capturing footage using Meta’s smart glasses. Also among the additions are Spin View Stories and Multi-Cam support, which allow creators to capture and produce immersive content using multiple camera angles, adjusted video framing, and better audio, from the first-person point of view (PoV).

WhatsApp has begun rolling out username reservations ahead of the wider launch of usernames later this year. The feature will let users connect without sharing their phone numbers and includes privacy measures such as an optional username key for first-time contacts. WhatsApp says there will be no public username directory or suggestions. The company has also introduced a username generator and will let creators, businesses, and organisations claim their existing Instagram or Facebook usernames for a consistent identity across Meta platforms.

WhatsApp is rolling out a new trust warning feature for Android and iOS users. The feature is designed to provide additional information about unfamiliar contacts before a user opens a conversation. This feature helps users to make a more informed decision about whether to engage in a conversation. This warning message shows the country where the phone number is registered. It also verifies whether the number has been saved as a contact and whether the user shares any common groups with the sender.

Researchers at Kaspersky have discovered a large malware campaign targeting users of WhatsApp Desktop and WhatsApp Web. This has reportedly affected users in countries, including Malaysia, Brazil, Singapore, Taiwan and Vietnam. The highest number of victims was reported in Malaysia. The cybersecurity and anti-virus firm advises users to be careful when receiving unexpected attachments on WhatsApp. Users have to be cautious when opening script and executable file types.

WhatsApp now has a new global head, Will Cathcart revealed, while announcing that Kunal Shah will take over from him to head the instant messaging platform. This comes as Mark Zuckerberg-led Meta has entered Cred as the new minority shareholder, which Shah founded in 2018. Cathcart held the position of global head of WhatsApp for more than seven years. WhatsApp introduced end-to-end encryption messaging, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), and more features under Cathcart’s leadership.

WhatsApp is said to be adding a redesign to how online status is displayed in the app. In the latest WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.26.24.5, the company replaced the 'online' label from the chat info screen with a green dot displayed directly on a contact's profile photo. Additionally, WhatsApp is said to be developing a dedicated in-app backup management section that will allow users to view, delete, and organise previous backups to free up storage space.

The United Arab Emirates is said to have introduced a minimum age requirement of 15 years for social media use. Following the move, it has become the first Arab country to impose such a restriction, a report suggests. The new rules were reportedly approved under a government resolution, prohibiting children under 15 from creating, operating, or using personal social media accounts. Consequently, social media apps operating in the region will be required to impose stricter age-verification mechanisms.

Instagram has introduced a new Multiple Captions on a Carousel feature that lets users add separate captions to individual photos and videos within a carousel post. Previously, creators could only use a single caption for an entire carousel. The feature can be enabled while creating a carousel by turning on the Multiple Captions option in the caption field. According to Instagram, the update is intended to make information easier to present alongside specific slides. The feature has started rolling out and is available in India.

The Delhi High Court on Friday rejected Telegram's plea that challenged the Centre's earlier decision to temporarily block access to the messaging platform ahead of the NEET 2026 re-examination. According to a report, the week-long restriction is imposed until 2022 and was ordered by the government to curb the circulation of leaked examination material before the medical entrance test takes place on June 21. The court is said to have upheld the blocking order under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act.

WhatsApp is reportedly developing a new Android home screen widget that could allow users to record and send voice messages without opening the app. Spotted in WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.24.2, the feature is still under development and unavailable to testers. Users may be able to record a voice note from the home screen, send it to multiple recipients, and even use it as a status update. The development follows WhatsApp's ongoing work on another home screen widget for status updates.

WhatsApp is said to be preparing a new privacy feature that would allow users to send text messages that disappear after being viewed once. The functionality was spotted in an iOS beta build by WABetaInfo and could be enabled through a new send menu option. The report suggests it will work in private and group chats while limiting actions such as forwarding, copying, screenshotting and screen recording.

Telegram has been temporarily banned in India, ahead of the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET) re-examination for the undergraduate (UG) medical aspirants, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), which is schedueld to take place on June 21. the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued directions under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, restricting access to Telegram in India. The instant messaging platform has been banned temporarily till June 22. In a post on X, NTA welcomed MeitY’s new directions, which were issued on NTA’s recommendations.

The UK is banning social media for children under 16, the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced in his speech from 10 Downing Street on Monday. He cited mental health concerns, addiction, and bullying as a few of the reasons behind the decision and claims that the decision will give children their “childhoods back". According to a BBC report, social media platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and the microblogging platform X will be part of the ban, keeping instant messaging services like WhatsApp and Signal out of the list.

WhatsApp is reportedly rolling out group voice and video calling support on WhatsApp Web for selected beta testers. The feature allows users to start group calls directly from a browser and supports up to 32 participants. Users can choose specific participants, create call links, enable waiting rooms, and share their screens during video calls. Group calls remain protected by end-to-end encryption. The update builds on WhatsApp's web calling feature introduced earlier this year and is expected to reach more beta users in the coming weeks.

WhatsApp is reportedly planning to add Meta One subscription plans directly to the Android app. The Meta One subscription plans were spotted on WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.26.23.10. With this, the user will be able to access and manage the plans directly from within WhatsApp.Users who sign up for any of these plans are likely to get WhatsApp Plus benefits as part of the package, with access to premium features across WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and Meta AI through a single subscription.

Meta on Thursday announced several football-focused features across its family of social media apps ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The company is partnering with broadcasters, national teams, players, commentators, and creators to bring fans closer to the action throughout the tournament. Users will be able to access features like real-time conversations, live scores, football communities, themed experiences, and AI-powered additions across Threads, Instagram, Facebook, Messenger, and WhatsApp.

EU reportedly orders Meta Platforms to provide competing AI chatbot services with free access to WhatsApp while the authorities investigate allegations that the Mark Zuckerberg-led company may have used its market position to restrict rivals' access to the messaging platform. This latest action by the EU is taken based on complaints from The Interaction Company, which develops the Poke.com AI assistant, Agentik, and a Spanish rival.

Instagram has started rolling out a new Reorder Grid feature that allows users to rearrange posts on their profile without affecting original upload dates. The tool lets users move content to different positions on their grid, offering greater flexibility in profile presentation. The update is aimed at creators, businesses, and everyday users who want more control over how their profiles appear. Instagram says the feature can be accessed by long-pressing a post and selecting the Reorder Grid option from the menu.

WhatsApp is reportedly expanding the rollout of its multi-account feature on iOS. According to WABetaInfo, the feature is becoming available to more users through WhatsApp for iOS version 26.22.76. It allows users to manage two WhatsApp accounts on the same iPhone without using WhatsApp Business or a second device. Users can add another account using a phone number or QR code and switch between profiles within the app. Conversations, notifications, and account settings remain separate for each account.

Video consumption in India is no longer concentrated in metropolitan cities, according to a new study commissioned by Meta Platforms. The report revealed that Reels, Instagram’s short-form video content, is playing a growing role in content discovery, creator engagement, and even purchase decisions. As per the company, daily video engagement on its platforms has become almost identical across metro cities, tier-2 and tier-3 towns, and rural India, hinting towards a narrowing gap in video consumption between urban and rural areas.

Google launched Search Profiles, designed for creators and publishers. Search profiles are a dedicated, shareable space to highlight content across platforms and help audiences find accurate, up-to-date information about sources on Search. Eligible creators can claim an existing profile automatically generated by Google or create a new one by linking their social media accounts.

Vi and Meta have launched Silent Mobile Verification (SMV) in India as part of their new partnership, the companies announced on Thursday. Soon, Vi subscribers in the country will be able to log in to WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram by simply entering their phone number. With the SMV technology, Meta’s social media apps will send a verification signal to Vi’s cellular network seeking confirmation of authenticity. Once verified, the user will be able to log in to the social media app without entering a password or an OTP.

Instagram is now alerting users whose accounts were part of the recent wave of account takeover by hackers. The issue, linked to Meta AI, surfaced last week when several users reported that attackers were exploiting the AI chatbot to access Instagram accounts. The Menlo Park-based tech giant said that the vulnerability has since been patched; however, reports of compromised accounts surfaced even after the fix was announced.

Meta is said to be testing a new feature that would make it easier for users to follow multi-part videos. The feature, called Series, is reportedly geared towards Instagram and Facebook Reels viewers. According to a report, it may allow creators to group related Reels into a dedicated collection, enabling viewers to watch episodes in sequence and keep track of ongoing content. The feature is currently said to be in testing with a limited number of creators.

WhatsApp is said to be developing a new privacy-focused feature for Android aimed at helping users identify potential scams prior to engaging with them. According to a feature tracker, it will analyse incoming messages from unknown senders and flag suspicious conversations to protect users against fraudulent activity. The in-development feature, dubbed Scam Alert, reportedly works entirely on-device and is said to maintain the same end-to-end encryption as traditional WhatsApp conversations.

The idea behind Pawzeeble did not come from analysing business research papers or identifying a profitable gap in the market. It was conceptualised, little by little, after Sathe began taking care of Leah, a paralysed rescue pup. Like most first-time pet parents in India, Sathe had to figure out the vaccine schedule, grooming rituals, supplements, and other aspects of caring for a pet.

Meta has launched Facebook Plus, Instagram Plus, and WhatsApp Plus. It is currently available to select users and is confirmed to bring new features. The new features and all subscriptions are being tested under Meta One. The Instagram Plus and Facebook Plus reportedly cost $3.99 (roughly Rs. 350) per month. WhatsApp Plus is said to be priced at $2.99 (roughly Rs. 270) per month. Subscribers will get access to premium features, including profile customisation and Super Reactions.

WhatsApp is reportedly rolling out a redesigned media attachment sheet for iOS users. The feature is said to be available on WhatsApp for iOS version 26.19.75 and appears to be currently available to a limited number of users. This new interface allow users to select recent photos and videos quickly without leaving the chat screen.

YouTube is finally ready to release its Likeness Detection tool to all adult creators on the platform. After first announcing it in 2024, the company has also expanded its access to users. Last year, a select group of content creators received the tool, and in March this year, the streaming giant opened the deepfake spotting tool to government officials and journalists.

Meta-owned WhatsApp is rolling out a new disappearing messages option to some iPhone beta testers. The feature, previously spotted on Android, lets users delete messages after they are read, with post-read timers of 5 minutes, 1 hour, or 12 hours. Unread messages are automatically removed after 24 hours. The feature is available in WhatsApp beta for iOS 26.19.10.72 and works alongside the existing 24-hour, 7-day, and 90-day disappearing message timers.

Meta on Wednesday announced the launch of Instants. It is a new Instagram feature designed to make casual photo sharing between friends faster and more spontaneous. The company claims it allows users to share unfiltered, ephemeral photos directly through Instagram’s inbox. Alongside the feature, Meta is experimenting with a standalone Instants app in select countries to provide quicker camera access. It is said to have a similar functionality as Snapchat, while retaining Instagram’s existing safety, privacy, and parental supervision features for teens.

Bumble is reportedly killing off the swipe. As per the report, the dating app is planning to remove one of its most integral features for something new. The company’s CEO reportedly revealed the information recently, after teasing the same on its social media handles. The move away from the “swipe-to-match” style of interaction is also said to be linked with increasingly high swipe fatigue among young adults, causing emotional and mental exhaustion.

WhatsApp on Friday announced a new feature aimed at providing customer support using artificial intelligence (AI). Dubbed Business AI, it is being introduced within the WhatsApp Business app. As per the Meta-owned platform, Business AI can help businesses automate customer interactions, respond to queries around the clock, and drive sales. It does not require any additional software or third-party tools. Business AI supports all native Indian languages and is geared towards small and medium-sized businesses.

Meta is adding new weapons to its age-detection arsenal to ensure teenagers and those under the age of 13 aren’t faking their date of birth to access the platform. The latest tool is an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered visual analysis system that goes through users’ photos and videos and picks up on cues that might reveal the true age of the user.

Divine, a reboot of Vine backed by Jack Dorsey, is rolling out with support for new uploads and a restored archive of 500,000 videos from nearly 100,000 creators. The app reportedly focuses on open protocols, limits AI-generated content, and introduces features like compilation mode. Built on Nostr, it aims to support decentralised social networking while giving creators more control over their content and future monetisation options.

Elon Musk is reportedly close to launching X Money, a payments and banking service built into X. The feature is said to be nearing early public access and may include peer-to-peer transfers, a debit card, and an AI assistant for tracking expenses. Early users have mentioned perks such as cashback and higher savings interest rates. However, key details remain unclear, and the platform is still facing regulatory hurdles in several US states before a wider rollout.

Instagram is said to be testing a new image-sharing app called Instants. The Meta-owned social media confirmed to a publication that the standalone app is currently being offered in select markets, including Italy and Spain. Built on a similar premise as Snapchat, Instants would allow users to send and receive disappearing photos and videos. It is said to focus on facilitating the sharing of ephemeral, unedited photos with friends.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) proposed a new change to its draft IT Rules amendments, bringing stricter guidelines for artificial intelligence (AI)-generated content labelling across online platforms. Additionally, the Ministry has also extended the consultation deadline to submit feedback on the new rules, pushing it from April 29 to May 7.

WhatsApp is reportedly developing a new feature designed to help Android users better organise conversations with businesses. It is expected to help users to reduce clutter and spam. WhatsApp currently shows messages from business accounts alongside regular chats in the main chat list. Business messages will reportedly automatically be moved to a dedicated section 24 hours after they are received.

Instagram has announced the rollout of a new feature that allows users to edit their comments. The move, announced on Friday, addresses a long-standing limitation on the social media app. The Meta-owned platform said that the feature is being rolled out globally. It lets users make changes to their comments shortly after posting, making it easier to fix typos or refine responses. While Instagram has supported editing posts for some time, comments were uneditable, that is, until now.

WhatsApp is reportedly rolling out a noise cancellation feature for voice and video calls to Android beta users. The feature is said to be available in the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.14.1. Designed to minimise background noise in real time without affecting the speaker’s voice, the feature aims to improve call clarity. It is expected to be especially useful in noisy or outdoor environments. Users can disable it from the calling menu.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is said to have extended the SIM-binding mandate till the end of the year. First announced in November 2025, the directive intends to curb digital fraud and identity misuse by ensuring that registered identities remain verifiable and linked to telecom subscriber records at all times. According to a report, social media platforms flagged implementation struggles, while smartphone makers also asked for more time to deploy the mandatory feature.

Instagram appears to be testing a paid subscription called Instagram Plus that focuses on enhancing Stories. The feature, spotted by Matt Navarra, is being tested in the Philippines at PHP 65 (roughly Rs. 100) per month with a free trial. It may allow users to manage story audiences, view rewatch insights, extend story duration, and boost visibility through features like spotlight and super hearts. Instagram has not confirmed the feature yet, and there is no timeline for a wider rollout.

WhatsApp on Thursday announced a new set of features that are aimed at improving cross-platform functionality, organisation, and usability. As per the Meta-owned instant messaging app, new tools are rolling out for managing storage, transferring chats between Android and iOS devices, and improving conversations with AI features. iPhone users can now also maintain two accounts on a single device — a functionality which was previously exclusive to Android.

Heavy social media use is linked to lower life satisfaction among teenagers, according to the World Happiness Report 2026, based on self-reported data from over 270,000 students across 47 countries. Girls who used social media for less than an hour a day reported the highest satisfaction, with levels declining as usage increased. Among boys, results varied by region, though heavy users were more likely to report low satisfaction. Both heavy users and non-users showed greater variation in wellbeing. Social media use remains widespread among adolescents globally.

Meta Platforms launched the Meta AI Support Assistant on Facebook and Instagram on Thursday. This move is part of the Menlo Park-based tech giant’s ambitions to introduce tools for support and content enforcement on its apps. The new AI assistant is claimed to be able to respond to questions and take action on behalf of the user. Meta also claimed positive results of the changes it introduced last year to focus its proactive enforcement towards illicit content on its platform.

Meta launched the Creator Fast Track programme for Facebook on Wednesday. The new initiative is aimed at bringing established content creators from rival platforms to Facebook and to regularly publish posts. In return, the social media giant is offering increased reach on eligible posts and guaranteed pay for up to three months.