WhatsApp is preparing to block logins for millions of users still on older Android and iOS devices. This move forces a significant segment of its 500 million Indian users to upgrade hardware or lose access. The policy puts pressure on users still running older, budget-friendly smartphones.
How We Got Here
WhatsApp began testing a policy update requiring newer Android 5.0 and iOS 12 versions in late 2023. This follows a 2021 update where the app stopped receiving security patches on similarly aged operating systems.
The Numbers
- The new policy requires Android devices to run version 5.0 (Lollipop) or newer for login.
- iOS users will need their iPhones to be on version 12 or later to maintain access.
- The change reportedly affects users with devices released before 2017-2018 running original software.
- WhatsApp typically updates its supported OS list annually, with the last major communication on this in October 2022.
What Happens Next
🇮🇳 Why This Matters for India
For the millions of daily wage earners in Patna and Lucknow using sub-₹10,000 smartphones, losing WhatsApp access means disconnecting from crucial informal networks.
The Take
Meta uses security as a lever to force hardware upgrades among its lowest-income users. This move quietly widens India's digital divide by making basic communication a paid hardware upgrade.
Source:
Gadgets 360 ↗