WhatsApp is embarking on a significant change aimed at reducing spam and unwanted messages within its platform. The messaging application is currently testing a new policy that will impose monthly message limits on users and businesses contacting individuals who are not on their contact lists and do not respond.
This initiative seeks to provide users with a more organized and quieter inbox. Over time, WhatsApp has evolved from a basic chat application to a vast platform that accommodates communities, business accounts, and customer service interactions. However, this expansion has also seen a rise in unsolicited messages and promotions, leaving many users feeling overwhelmed.
According to a report by TechCrunch, the proposed limits would apply to messages sent to non-contacts who do not reply. Each message sent to such individuals will count against the monthly limit. For instance, if a user sends three messages to a recipient who does not respond, those three messages will deduct from their allotted messages for that month. WhatsApp has not disclosed the specific cap on messages, indicating that it is still experimenting with various thresholds.
Users nearing their message limit may receive notifications, and once they reach that threshold, they could face temporary restrictions on messaging new contacts. Importantly, WhatsApp has assured regular users who communicate with friends and family that they will not be impacted by this new feature.
This change is part of WhatsApp”s broader strategy to combat spam, particularly in India, where the application has over 500 million users. Over the past year, the platform has implemented a series of anti-spam measures, including restrictions on marketing messages, options to unsubscribe from business chats, and limitations on broadcast messages.
Businesses relying on WhatsApp to reach out to customers will need to focus on cultivating genuine connections rather than sending mass messages. For everyday users, this development is expected to facilitate a more streamlined and personal chatting experience. While it may not completely eradicate spam, the introduction of message limits represents a significant step towards restoring WhatsApp”s original intent of fostering private and meaningful conversations.
