I need to know a little about Whats app

[Melita-s]

I know nothing about this application. (1) When Whats app is used from your phone, do you have to pay your phone service provider OR your ISP, OR do you have to pay both of them. (2) Can this be used from a computer? (3) What level of privacy and security can be expected or is this a foolish question?

Thank you

[MidnightCowboy]

WhatsApp is probably the biggest marketing success story since deodorant. In those days it was TV and folks really did believe that every six months a "new improved" washing powder would get their kit whiter than the previous version and because TV told them they stank, millions started to buy deodorant and still do.

Today, it is social media that shapes society with virtual friends and fake news and Facebook, being the leading provider of this garbage, was quick to spot the potential for WhatsApp and so bought it.

If anyone out there still has an independent mind and the ability to exist in the real world free of commercial influence, I urge them to see the film Ingrid Goes West although for most viewers any fleeting recognition of 'self' will quickly vanish into their comfort zone of virtual reality.

Here in Brazil, everyone wants to communicate via WhatsApp and the looks we get when we tell folks we don't use it are priceless but sociologically sad. You do not need any kind of app to communicate. God gave us all mouths and for most the ability to communicate using language. Even your pizza will still arrive if you pick up the phone and ask for it. Heck, you might even share something meaningful with the person who takes your order.

In terms of security, WhatsApp is not so secure as many users believe, but believers are hard to convince of anything to the contrary.

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/4-secur...ers-need-know/
https://venturebeat.com/2016/05/04/3...nd-encryption/

[Anupam]

Originally Posted by Melita-s

(1) When Whats app is used from your phone, do you have to pay your phone service provider OR your ISP, OR do you have to pay both of them.

WhatsApp is a free app.... you do not have to pay anything to anyone. Just like you browser the internet, and do not pay to anyone... just the monthly fee to ISP for the internet... same for Whatsapp.... you just got to have internet connection on your phone.. which you already pay for.

Originally Posted by Melita-s

(2) Can this be used from a computer?

Whatsapp can be used from the computer. They have a Windows app, I think, and also this:

https://web.whatsapp.com/

But I have never used Whatsapp on the computer, so I have no idea.

Originally Posted by Melita-s

(3) What level of privacy and security can be expected or is this a foolish question?

I don't have exact knowledge about this... so you will have to search for yourself. MC already provided links for the security portion.

Maybe someone else will tell you more.

[Jojo Yee]

I've been using Whatsapp on mobiles and PCs on daily basis with no issues. There are two ways of using Whatsapp on PCs, both needing you to scan the QR code with your phone. More details here: https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-u...your-computer/

[Jojo Yee]

See also Whatsapp reviewed at our site:

WhatsApp Messenger - A must-have instant messaging app to everyone for its popularity.

[Melita-s]

Thank you for all the replies. With no advertisements to generate income, from where do the providers of this service get funds? Without an income how do they keep going and what do they get out of this?

[MidnightCowboy]

Originally Posted by Melita-s

Thank you for all the replies. With no advertisements to generate income, from where do the providers of this service get funds? Without an income how do they keep going and what do they get out of this?

Please see here.

http://www.investopedia.com/articles...akes-money.asp

[Melita-s]

Originally Posted by MidnightCowboy

Please see here.

http://www.investopedia.com/articles...akes-money.asp

I am completely ignorant of business matters or practices. So, I have difficulty understanding this part: "Starting this year, we will test tools that allow you to use WhatsApp to communicate with businesses and organizations that you want to hear from," the company wrote at the time. The goal is to have people communicate directly with i.e. their banks, airlines etc. over the app, while the businesses picks up the bill previously paid through subscriptions

[Burn-IT]

It basically means the companies pay to be included rather than the customers paying to access it.

[Melita-s]

Originally Posted by Burn-IT

It basically means the companies pay to be included rather than the customers paying to access it.

Thank you Burn-IT. That paragraph makes sense to me now, after I read your post!

Regards