Today's Tech Roundup: Microsoft Cleaning House, Reuters Halted, SpaceX Postponed, TikTok American Reserve, and Myntra's GlamStream Launch!
In an effort to expand its offerings, WhatsApp has launched a new feature called Channels, allowing users to receive the latest news, exclusives, and videos from various sources directly within the messaging app.
The new Channels, available within the Updates tab, enable news organisations, celebrities, and brands to share updates, exclusives, and videos with their followers. These Channels are free to join, and users can follow their preferred sources to receive real-time updates.
For those Channels offering a subscription model, users have the option to pay a monthly fee for access to exclusive content such as in-the-moment updates and behind-the-scenes videos. This is an optional feature, with the subscription fee set by the channel owner.
To subscribe, users simply need to join a Channel that offers paid exclusives and follow the provided option to subscribe. Enabling notifications will ensure users receive real-time news updates and exclusive content directly on WhatsApp, similar to receiving a broadcast message.
All content appears in WhatsApp's dedicated Updates tab, separate from personal chats, ensuring the messaging experience remains unaffected.
Meanwhile, in other news, Reuters remains blocked in India, while Myntra has debuted a new service called GlamStream. TikTok is preparing for a separation in the U.S., and SpaceX's Starship is facing delays. Microsoft has suspended 3,000 scam accounts as part of its ongoing efforts to maintain a secure platform.
This new subscription and exclusive content model was announced by Meta in mid-2025 as part of WhatsApp's monetization efforts without impacting the core chat experience.
[1] WhatsApp Business - https://www.whatsapp.com/business/ [2] WhatsApp Channels - https://faq.whatsapp.com/business/can-i-use-whatsapp-business-api/channels/ [3] WhatsApp Subscription Model - https://www.techcrunch.com/2025/07/15/whatsapp-subscription-model/ [4] WhatsApp Updates Tab - https://www.whatsapp.com/business/help/faq/business-api/managing-messages/updates-tab/ [5] WhatsApp Monetization - https://www.theverge.com/2025/07/15/whatsapp-monetization/
WhatsApp's new feature, Channels, allows users to engage with news, exclusives, and videos from various sources directly within the messaging app, thanks to the integration of technology. This technology-driven enhancement also includes a subscription model for certain Channels, offering users exclusive content in exchange for a monthly fee, demonstrating WhatsApp's ongoing monetization efforts.
