Debunked: Viral WhatsApp Message Claiming Users Must Copy and Share a Notice to Protect Their Photos Is False

BY: Habeeb Adisa

A message circulating widely on WhatsApp claims that a new policy will allow WhatsApp to use users’ photos, messages, and personal information without their consent unless they copy and share a legal notice. The message also falsely claims WhatsApp will begin charging users per message and that forwarding the message to 10 people or groups will keep the service free. FactCheckAfrica investigated the claims.

Claim:

A viral WhatsApp message claims that:

• A new WhatsApp rule will take effect “tomorrow,” allowing the platform to use users’ photos, messages, and deleted content without their permission.
• Copying and reposting a legal disclaimer will prevent WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram from using users’ data.
• Sharing the message to 10 groups will display a ✅ sign proving the account is protected.
• WhatsApp will begin charging users €0.01 per message unless they forward the message to at least 10 contacts, after which their logo will turn blue to indicate free usage.

Verdict: FALSE

Full Text:

The viral message, which has circulated in different versions for several years, reads in part:

“I do not give WhatsApp or any organisation associated with WhatsApp, such as Facebook and Instagram, permission to use my images, information, messages, photos, deleted messages, files, etc… Please share it in 10 groups… your phone is protected… On Saturday, WhatsApp will start charging… send this message to 10 people and your logo will turn blue.”

Verification:

To verify the claims, FactCheckAfrica reviewed WhatsApp’s official Privacy Policy, WhatsApp’s Help Center on end-to-end encryption and Advanced Chat Privacy, and official information from Meta Newsroom, alongside publicly available information about WhatsApp Business pricing.

Can copying and sharing a message stop WhatsApp from using your data?

No.

There is no legal or technical basis for this claim. Posting or forwarding a disclaimer on WhatsApp does not change the platform’s Terms of Service or Privacy Policy.

Users agree to WhatsApp’s terms when creating and using an account. Any changes to privacy policies are communicated officially through the app or Meta’s official channels—not through viral chain messages. 

No court or data protection authority recognises copied WhatsApp status messages or forwarded texts as legally binding notices capable of overriding the service agreement.

Will WhatsApp begin using your photos, deleted messages and files without your consent?

No.

WhatsApp’s personal chats and calls are protected by end-to-end encryption by default. This means only the sender and intended recipient can read messages or listen to calls. Not even WhatsApp can access the content of these communications. 

Deleted messages are not suddenly made public because of a new policy, and there has been no announcement allowing WhatsApp to publish users’ private photos or conversations.

While WhatsApp collects certain account and device information as explained in its Privacy Policy, this is entirely different from accessing the content of encrypted chats. 

Will forwarding the message protect your account or display a check mark?

No.

There is no WhatsApp feature that activates account protection after forwarding a message to 10 groups or contacts.

Likewise, WhatsApp does not display a blue logo or a special check mark to indicate an account is “protected” or “free.” This claim is entirely fabricated.

Is WhatsApp introducing charges of €0.01 per message?

No.

WhatsApp remains free for personal users.

Meta charges businesses that use the WhatsApp Business Platform under separate pricing plans, but there has been no announcement that personal users will pay per message. 

This rumour has circulated repeatedly for years and has been debunked each time.

Conclusion:

The viral WhatsApp message is FALSE. There is no new rule requiring users to copy and share a legal disclaimer to protect their photos or messages. Forwarding the message does not change WhatsApp’s privacy settings, provide legal protection, display a verification symbol, or prevent future charges.

Similarly, WhatsApp is not introducing fees of €0.01 per message for personal users, and there is no requirement to forward messages to keep the service free. The message is simply another recycled chain hoax that relies on fear and urgency to encourage users to spread misinformation. Users should ignore, delete, and avoid forwarding it.