WhatsApp — Meta-owned messaging platform introducing privacy features like usernames and monetisation tools, undergoing leadership changes and facing regulatory scrutiny.
NAIROBI, Kenya Jun 30 – WhatsApp has announced the introduction of a new username feature that will allow users to communicate without sharing their personal phone numbers. …
WhatsApp messenger to begin offering usernames By AFP June 30, 2026 07:50 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Close up image of a smartphone displaying the WhatsApp logo in front of a Meta AI logo on a digital …
WhatsApp has begun letting its three billion users worldwide reserve unique usernames, allowing people to chat without ever revealing their phone numbers. …
India startup head Kunal Shah appointed as new WhatsApp boss By AFP June 23, 2026 02:39 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter A 3D printed Whatsapp logo and keyboard buttons are placed on a computer motherboard i …
India startup head Kunal Shah appointed as new WhatsApp boss By AFP June 23, 2026 02:39 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter A 3D printed Whatsapp logo and keyboard buttons are placed on a computer motherboard i …
Why exchange rate trends matter more to Kenyans than ever before By Citizen Reporter June 19, 2026 01:04 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Audio By Vocalize There was a time when exchange rates happened in th …
… rship challenge in the coming weeks, said social media sites were exposing children to content that is "dangerous" and "designed to be addictive".The ban will "include platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X" but not messaging services such as WhatsApp …
From letters to likes: How social media is reshaping modern relationships By June Mukanga June 13, 2026 07:00 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter An AI-generated image showcasing the different realities of mode …
EU orders Meta to open WhatsApp to rival AI chatbots for free By AFP June 10, 2026 06:39 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Men pose with smartphones in front of displayed Whatsapp logo in this illustration Se …
Mark Zuckerberg published an essay on the future of artificial intelligence calling for the US to compete against China, prevent "government tyranny" over AI, and ensure "superintelligence" technology becomes available to everyone. He argues the solution includes "open" weight models that allow users to download the rules governing how an AI system behaves, contrasting with competitors like OpenAI and Anthropic that focus on closed AI models.
Mark Zuckerberg published an essay on the future of artificial intelligence calling for the US to compete against China, prevent "government tyranny" over AI, and ensure "superintelligence" technology becomes available to everyone. He argues the solution includes "open" weight models that allow users to download the rules governing how an AI system behaves, contrasting with competitors like OpenAI and Anthropic that focus on closed AI models.
An Indian parliamentary panel called on Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg to apologize for the temporary removal of a video of Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Facebook and Instagram on July 23, which Meta said was caused by a technical error. The panel's head said the removal was the work of a publisher rather than an intermediary and demanded an apology within three days.
Russia announced it is seeking the arrest of Telegram founder Pavel Durov over accusations of complicity in terrorism, alleging he allowed the platform to be used for recruitment by Ukraine's security services. Durov, a Russian-born tech founder holding French and UAE passports who lives outside Russia, has repeatedly clashed with Russian authorities as Moscow has sought to tighten control over the internet.
South African companies are increasing their stake in Kenya's financial sector through investments in NCBA, Safaricom, and Absa Bank Kenya, after previous retail ventures like ShopRite and Massmart failed in the market.
Thousands of Facebook users in Kenya and across the world were temporarily locked out of their accounts on Sunday due to a widespread service disruption. Users attempting to access the platform through web browsers received a message indicating a technical issue on Facebook's end, and some also reported difficulties on the mobile application.
Social media platforms like TikTok and Telegram in Kenya have transformed from spaces for sharing moments into commercial hubs where users market themselves, build businesses, seek financial support, and sometimes exploit others. Platforms originally designed for entertainment and privacy have increasingly hosted both legitimate economic activity and criminal enterprises.
Nigeria's competition regulator launched an investigation into major technology and AI companies, including Meta, Alphabet, X, and generative AI platforms, following allegations of unlawful exploitation of news content and unfair market practices. The investigation, initiated by presidential directive after a petition from the Nigerian Press Organisation, will examine unauthorised use of journalistic content for AI model development.
Nigeria's competition regulator said Monday it is investigating major technology and AI companies over allegations of unlawful exploitation of news content and unfair market practices, following a presidential directive after a petition by the Nigerian Press Organisation citing concerns about unauthorised use of journalistic content for AI training.
WhatsApp is introducing a feature that lets users interact with strangers without revealing their phone numbers, allowing new contacts to reach them only via a unique username. The platform is also rolling out monetisation tools including paid channel subscriptions and advertisements in Status.
Meta's aggressive spending on artificial intelligence capabilities has created internal turmoil, with employees at Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp experiencing frequent layoffs since early 2025, including a 10 percent workforce cut this spring affecting 8,000 jobs, plus accusations of surveillance through an internal AI training initiative.
Kenya Revenue Authority's online tax filing system experienced intermittent delays and significant traffic surges in the final hours before the June 30 deadline, locking out hundreds of taxpayers unable to submit their 2025 income tax returns. KRA has ruled out extending the deadline.
WhatsApp has introduced a new username feature that allows users to communicate without sharing their phone numbers, with reservation beginning this week and full rollout later this year. The feature is designed to improve privacy by letting users connect without disclosing their personal phone numbers to new contacts.
WhatsApp said it will let hundreds of millions of users pick unique usernames to share instead of phone numbers, designed to protect privacy. The feature will be rolled out gradually over the coming months, with no directory or suggestions—people will need to know the exact username to contact someone.
WhatsApp has begun allowing its three billion users worldwide to reserve unique usernames, enabling people to chat without revealing their phone numbers. The Meta-owned platform described the move as a major privacy overhaul.
Meta has appointed Indian fintech founder Kunal Shah as the new head of WhatsApp as the tech giant seeks to monetise the messaging app. The announcement was accompanied by news that Meta would lead a $900 million funding round in Shah's consumer finance firm CRED.
Meta has appointed Indian fintech founder Kunal Shah to lead WhatsApp, as the US tech giant works to monetise the messaging app's large user base. Meta is also leading a $900 million funding round in Shah's consumer finance firm CRED.
Exchange rate trends have become increasingly visible to ordinary Kenyans as effects become harder to ignore, driven by questions about economic growth and increased interest in economic indicators. Mobile technology and online trading platforms have enabled more Kenyans to participate actively in the forex market rather than simply observe it.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that children under 16 will be banned from using social media platforms including Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X, citing concerns that such platforms expose youngsters to dangerous and addictive content. The ban is expected to pass by late December and come into force in spring 2025.
Social media platforms including Facebook, X, TikTok, Instagram and WhatsApp have changed how people connect, express themselves and build relationships across distances, contrasting with earlier reliance on face-to-face conversation, letters and phone calls that required more effort and deeper personal valuation.
The European Commission ordered Meta on Tuesday to give rival AI chatbots access to its WhatsApp platform for free within five working days during an antitrust investigation into Meta's policy of blocking access for non-Meta AI providers, or face a heavy fine.
Meta has discontinued end-to-end encryption for Instagram private chats as of May 8, 2026. A Meta spokesperson told The Guardian that few users opted for the service since it was not automatic, and the company is removing this option from Instagram.
German prosecutors launched a spying investigation into phishing attacks targeting lawmakers on the Signal messaging app, with attacks allegedly directed at MPs from several parties, civil servants, diplomats and journalists. The attacks work by sending fake Signal support messages to trick victims into handing over account information, potentially allowing hackers to access chat groups, messages, photos and files.