Tech News Summary:
- WhatsApp has updated its terms of service, making chat backups on Android devices no longer free and counting against Google Account storage.
- Users may need to opt for a Google One subscription to fully backup their chats and media files, as Google currently offers 15GB of free cloud storage, which is shared between various services.
- Users can continue to backup WhatsApp chats for free if they have enough storage within the 15GB quota, or they can opt for the more affordable Google One cloud service, which offers 100GB of storage for a monthly or yearly fee.
In a surprising turn of events, WhatsApp has announced that starting from November 12th, 2021, Android users will have to pay to store their chat backups on Google Drive. The popular messaging app, owned by Facebook, has always allowed users to back up their chats, photos, and videos for free. However, it seems that this feature will soon come with a price tag attached.
Here’s what you need to know about the new development:
– The change will only affect Android users, as iOS users have always had to pay for iCloud storage to back up their WhatsApp data.
– WhatsApp has stated that the decision to start charging for chat backups on Android is due to the costs associated with storing these backups on Google Drive. However, it’s likely that this move will also generate additional revenue for the company.
– The cost of backing up WhatsApp data on Google Drive will depend on the user’s storage usage. Google offers 15GB of free storage, but once users exceed this limit, they will have to pay for additional storage.
– While the exact pricing details have not been announced, users can expect to pay a monthly or yearly subscription fee for extra storage on Google Drive.
– WhatsApp has also clarified that users who do not back up their data for more than a year will have their backups removed from Google Drive.
– To avoid losing their chat backups, WhatsApp users will have to keep an eye on their storage usage and consider purchasing additional Google Drive storage if needed.
This change has sparked mixed reactions among WhatsApp users, with some expressing disappointment at the additional expense, while others understand the need for the company to cover its costs. Regardless, it’s clear that this move will have an impact on how Android users manage their WhatsApp data in the future. If you’re an Android user who relies on WhatsApp for communication, it may be time to start considering your options for backup storage.