Like wildfire is spreading a message in the network: WhatsApp is no longer free. All media reports on the subject relate to one source - the blog "mobiFlip". Titled "WhatsApp asks Android users to checkout" refers to statements made by the author of readers and friends. These were therefore asked since the beginning of November to renew their subscription fee. In the past, there have been repeated rumors that WhatsApp have begun to collect fees. So far, this information proved to be false, however, always.
Since its inception, the service has indeed extended free year after year, a request for payment would be unjustified in general not. So it is for users of the Android version of the smartphone software Google gives very clear: "First year FREE! ($ 0.99/year after). " Converted are almost 80 euro cents per year. Apple's iTunes store, the app for the iPhone will cost 89 euro cents once. On its website the provider specifies in detail: "On the iPhone you have to pay only once, when you download the application. Apple Makes you WhatsApp thereafter as often as necessary to download. Please note that each time you use the same Apple ID. For all other phones (Android, BlackBerry, Windows Phone and Nokia) WhatsApp is free for one year. After this year, you have the option to renew the subscription for one year for $ 0.99. Subscriptions are cumulative, which means that when you pay for another year, it will be added to your current subscription or free year. There are no differences between the free and paid version of WhatsApp except the period of validity. "
Security again in criticism
According to a release of August are daily on the app more than ten billion messages sent. Because WhatsApp-makers to forgo advertising in their service and "never sell personal information to anyone" want, the financing of the company on the sale of the app makes sense. FOCUS Online has contacted WhatsApp whether users pay for the service actually from now. The reply from him.
Despite its own protestations about security WhatsApp has repeatedly been targeted by privacy advocates, consumer advisers and hackers. Thus, the Stiftung Warentest criticized in May that the service the entire address of the user sends unencrypted to a server in the USA. And although 61 percent of all smartphone owners worried about the security of their data, according to a survey commissioned by the Federal Consumer Protection Ministry showed the popularity of the messenger app is unbroken. Sun used loud FOCUS App Monitor Germany in October 2012, almost 53 percent of smartphone users the WhatsApp Messenger is thus only surpassed by the Facebook app with 68.5 percent.
WhatsApp users can switch to other services
Consumers are not absolutely dependent on WhatsApp as a cheap alternative to SMS. Also for messenger services like Google Talk, Skype, Facebook, ICQ, AIM or Yahoo Messenger, there are mobile applications. Moreover, they can often parallel on multi-messenger apps for example, use of Trillian or IM +.
All these offers but put a user name or email address for identification. Thus the practical synchronization of contacts with the phonebook of your smartphone is not possible. However, a new player is called Hike in the wings who wants to make its services like WhatsApp Messenger on the phone Nufnummer and promises a high level of safety.
New WhatsApp's alternative recommendation
CHIP Online also recommends as alternative to WhatsApp Messenger service recently launched Hike. Messages should be here thanks to the SSL-encrypted connection securely transferred between the server and users. Again, unlike WhatsApp not the IMEI number of the phone is used for identification.
The computer experts close to the following conclusion: "Hike WhatsApp is second to none. The chic design, easy operation, fast text and file delivery and of course the secure data transfer among the strengths of the application. Hike is sufficient if many users could download the free app WhatsApp become a real competitor. "
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