Get Ready: WhatsApp Is Getting Ads, Paid Channel Subscriptions
Unlike other Meta apps, the company has traditionally kept WhatsApp ad-free. That's set to change, though ads will be limited to specific areas of the app, away from your messages.
Meta will soon include ads within the Status feature. This section is similar to Instagram Stories, where you can share clips or photos from your day-to-day life with your contacts. In the coming months, ads will appear between people you follow. Meta hasn't shared how often ads will appear, but if it's anything like Instagram, it'll likely be after every fourth or fifth story you view.
Meta won't use your personal data to target these ads. That means it can't use the topics in your messages, or the people you message, to figure out what ads to show you. Instead, Meta will use data such as your location, language, your interactions with Channels, or the ads you've been interested in before.
The company is also introducing a new way for businesses, celebrities, and influencers to monetize their own WhatsApp Channels. A Channel on WhatsApp acts like a big group chat, where you can update everyone following you at the same time. Many businesses use them to update users on specific changes or promotions.
Soon, owners of these channels will be able to charge for exclusive access to certain content. It sounds like this will work similarly to a Patreon subscription, where businesses can have a free tier for most users, and those who want exclusive access to additional services can pay for a subscription on top.
Around 1.5 billion people visit Channels and Status each day. There's currently no sign of WhatsApp bringing ads to other parts of its app, but that may eventually happen if the company continues to see success in its ad expansion.
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Politico
39 minutes ago
- Politico
Trump's AI plan meets ‘energy dominance'
President Donald Trump's artificial intelligence plan — due out this week — is shaping up to be a lot like his 'energy dominance' platform. The AI Action Plan will include cutting back environmental requirements and streamlining permitting policies to make it easier to build data centers and power infrastructure, Mohar Chatterjee reports. Previous White House AI plans in the Biden administration and Trump's first term have focused on the technology's use and issues such as intellectual property. The new inclusion of permitting policy reflects both the tech industry's reality that the greatest barrier to AI deployment is access to reliable power — and Trump's enthusiasm for boosting fossil fuel production. 'Remaining the world's leader in AI will require an enormous increase in energy production,' Trump told attendees at a summit last week in Pittsburgh. The tech-energy intersection is evident in how some of AI's biggest players pitched the White House on the AI Action Plan during an open comment period this spring. Google, for example, wrote that U.S. energy and permitting rules 'appear inadequate' to meet the sector's needs. Meta called for a 'comprehensive national strategy to support domestic data center investment and deployment,' including 'timely access to reliable electricity and speed to market and permitting efficiency.' OpenAI recommended streamlining transmission line development and using the Defense Production Act to accelerate gas turbine construction. Anthropic, the company behind AI model Claude, even offered a specific energy target: 50 gigawatts of power — the equivalent of 25 Hoover Dams — dedicated to data centers by 2027. The White House has leaned on AI's needs to advance its fossil fuel agenda. The Pittsburgh summit last week was accompanied by more than $90 billion in data center and energy investments, coming on the heels of billions in announced investments during Trump's Middle East trip. A controversial report this month warning that fossil fuel plants are needed to prevent blackouts was couched in language promoting the AI race. Even as he revoked Biden-era AI and energy policies early in his term, Trump kept one that opened federal lands to data centers. He also recently launched an initiative to pair data centers with federal labs — the groundwork for a potential executive order this week. The order, which may be announced on the same day as the AI plan, is expected to direct the Energy Department to kick-start data center construction on federal sites, two people familiar with the plan told Mohar. Trump is scheduled to deliver an AI speech Wednesday at an event hosted by the All-In podcast and the Hill & Valley Forum. Green groups — which have long been concerned about data centers' potential to undermine grid reliability and increase greenhouse gas emissions — are on alert. 'Trump's AI scheme sounds like a climate bomb clothed in tech bro skin,' Jean Su, energy justice director at the Center for Biological Diversity, said Monday. It's Monday — thank you for tuning in to POLITICO's Power Switch. I'm your host, Jason Plautz. Power Switch is brought to you by the journalists behind E&E News and POLITICO Energy. Send your tips, comments, questions to jplautz@ Today in POLITICO Energy's podcast: Josh Siegel speaks with Jason Grumet, CEO of the American Clean Power Association, about the state of renewable energy under Trump. Power Centers Could geothermal get a boost from fossil fuels?Researchers and the geothermal industry are looking at ways fossil fuels can be used to generate the energy source, Shelby Webb writes. Geothermal energy has bipartisan support and the backing of federal incentives — and, crucially, the Trump administration. Trump in an executive order called for removing 'all illegitimate impediments' to geothermal projects. And Energy Secretary Chris Wright has spoken favorably about geothermal. Regulators in North Dakota approved a feasibility study in June to see whether geothermal could be paired with active oil well sites or if captured carbon dioxide could be used to feed geothermal production. Permitting gets its momentBoth Republican and Democratic lawmakers are hoping to reopen talks on permitting legislation, writes Kelsey Brugger. Committees in both the House and Senate will hold hearings this week focused on accelerating environmental reviews and addressing increased demand for electricity. 'I am hearing, believe it or not, some interest among Democrats in doing something on permitting reform. Because not only is it slowing down and grinding to a halt a lot of conventional energy projects, but there are also renewable projects, things that Democrats support,' Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said during an interview Sunday on Fox News. While lawmakers in both parties want to streamline the permitting process, Democrats are wary of the GOP's intentions and the administration's unilateral actions. Need a satellite? NASA might have one for saleThe Trump administration is considering selling or leasing some NASA satellites, including ones already in orbit, Scott Waldman writes. It's in line with the administration's other efforts to slash federal spending. But NASA spokesperson Bethany Stevens stressed that no decisions have been made yet. The satellites are primarily used to gather scientific data, including carbon dioxide levels. NASA has about 50 spacecraft in orbit, and the Trump administration hasn't disclosed which ones may be up for grabs. In Other News Next stop, South America: China is building electric vehicle factories in Brazil, aiming to capitalize on one of the world's biggest markets after other automakers retreated. The little guy: There is surging interest globally in small modular reactors as nuclear energy gains steam because of soaring electricity demand. Subscriber Zone A showcase of some of our best subscriber content. The phase-out of federal renewable energy tax credits has created more uncertainty for states like New York and New Jersey that have ambitious clean energy plans. Trump dismissed all but one of the members of a federal board that oversees the storage of nuclear waste. The EPA officials who oversee the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund will move into the newly created Office of Finance and Administration. That's it for today, folks! Thanks for reading.
New York Post
3 hours ago
- New York Post
Mark Zuckerberg expands $300M Hawaii compound by nearly 1,000 acres — stoking more controversy with locals: report
Mark Zuckerberg has reportedly expanded his sprawling $300 million compound in Hawaii by nearly 1,000 acres — stoking yet more controversy with locals on the idyllic Pacific island chain, according to a report. The latest expansion on the Meta CEO's massive estate on the Hawaiian island of Kauai includes 962 acres of ranch land purchased earlier this year under an LLC, according to the tech news site WIRED. A person close to the sale estimated the purchase price at more than $65 million. The acquisition brings Zuckerberg's total holdings on Kauai to more than 2,300 acres. Property records place the land's market value at around $75 million. 5 Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has reportedly expanded his massive estate on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. MEGA Inside the existing compound, Zuckerberg has constructed two mansions with a combined floor area comparable to a football field, a gym, a tennis court, several guest houses, ranch buildings, saucer-shaped treehouses, a water system and a tunnel leading to an underground bomb shelter about the size of an NBA basketball court, outfitted with blast-resistant doors and an escape hatch. Recent planning documents released through public records show plans for three more large buildings, ranging from 7,820 to 11,152 square feet — nearly 10 times the size of the average home in Hawaii. Two of them include 16 bedrooms and 16 bathrooms between them, arranged in a motel-style layout, with a shared lanai measuring more than 1,300 square feet. Each building features cameras, keypad locks and motion detection devices. Hoffine Barr described the buildings as short-term guest housing for family, friends and staff. 5 Zuckerberg's expansion reportedly includes land containing a Native Hawaiian burial site. MNStudio – Satellite images show dozens of buildings on the property that have not yet appeared in public records. Based on bedroom counts in the documents WIRED reviewed, the compound could eventually accommodate more than 100 people. The seller was the Mary Lucas Trust Estate, whose lands were previously leased to sugar plantations and later restored for cattle grazing. Zuckerberg's spokesperson Brandi Hoffine Barr confirmed the purchase to WIRED but did not comment on the size or price. 'Mark and Priscilla continue to make a home for their family and grow their ranching, farming, and conservation efforts at Koʻolau Ranch,' said Hoffine Barr. 'The vast majority of the land is dedicated to agriculture — including cattle ranching, organic ginger, macadamia nut, and turmeric farming, native plant restoration, and endangered species protection. After purchasing the ranch, they canceled the previous owner's plans for 80 luxury homes.' The couple's investment now exceeds the $311 million fiscal year 2024 operating budget for the island of Kauai. 5 The latest expansion includes 962 acres of ranchland purchased earlier this year under a Hawaiian-sounding LLC, according to a report. MEGA A local islander who fished in the area contacted Zuckerberg's representatives around 10 years ago to inform them that part of the compound housed the remains of his great-grandmother and her brother, according to the report. Julian Ako negotiated with Zuckerberg's team for months before finally being able to gain access to the burial site and register the graves with Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources. According to WIRED, Ako tried unsuccessfully to locate the remains of other ancestor that may be buried on Zuckerberg's property. Hawaiian officials told WIRED that they confirmed 'the probability (based on oral testimony) of additional burial sites.' The burial site, first identified in 2015, was 'fenced off and maintained' after being discovered, Hoffine Barr told the publication. 5 Locals on the Hawaiian island of Kauai have expressed concern about Zuckerberg's aggressive purchase of land. MEGA She added that workers are 'bound by regulations that require reporting of inadvertent discoveries of iwi' — or Hawaiian ancestral bones. But because workers on the project are bound by strict nondisclosure agreements, local residents fear that any future discovery of iwi could be concealed. 'If all of the workers have signed these nondisclosure agreements, then basically they're sworn to silence,' Ako told WIRED. 'If they uncover iwi — or bones — it's going to be a challenge for that to ever become public knowledge, because they're putting their jobs in jeopardy.' Zuckerberg began buying land on Kauai in 2014, acquiring 700 acres near the town of Kilauea for roughly $100 million. The purchase included parcels where hundreds of local residents held kuleana rights — traditional Hawaiian legal entitlements whereby descendants of original Native Hawaiian landowners can claim ancestral lands. 5 Zuckerberg is said to be constructing a massive compound at an estimated cost that exceeds $300 million. shanemyersphoto – In 2016, Zuckerberg filed 'quiet title and partition' lawsuits against those residents to clarify ownership. He later dropped the suits after public backlash, but the legal process continued under kuleana descendant Carlos Andrade, who eventually won sole ownership of the land at auction. In a 2017 op-ed, Zuckerberg wrote that Andrade, who died in 2022, could 'continue his quiet title action and pass down the kuleana rights because he had lived on and cared for these lands for more than 40 years.' By spring 2021, Zuckerberg added more than 560 acres of ranchland, some of it abutting Larsen's Beach. Later that year, he purchased another 110 acres, including the Kaloko Dam, an earthen reservoir that collapsed in 2006, killing seven people. Zuckerberg's presence on the island has drawn both support and skepticism. He has donated millions to local nonprofits, including a charter school and an affordable housing organization near the compound. His projects have also created well-paying jobs. But many locals remain uneasy about the influence of billionaires on the island's future. 'If our island has any hope of remaining Hawaii, this kind of activity has got to stop,' Puali'i Rossi, a professor of Native Hawaiian studies at Kauai Community College, told WIRED. 'Eventually Hawaii isn't going to look like Hawaii anymore — it's going to be a resort community. Are we really thinking about 100 years from now, what this island is going to look like?' The Post has sought comment from Zuckerberg, Ako and the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
Miami Herald
3 hours ago
- Miami Herald
S&P, Nasdaq hit record highs amid optimistic earnings
July 21 (UPI) -- Two U.S. stock indexes -- Standard and Poor's 500 and Nasdaq 500 -- were trading at record highs during trading Monday as companies release earnings this week, though investors brace for U.S. tariff increases. The S&P 500 hit an intra-day high of 6,335.79, or 0.6%, above the record 6,297.36 on Thursday. The tech-heavy Nasdaq reached 21,077.37, a rise of 0.7%, after a record 20,895.66 on Friday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average reached 44,601.85, a climb of 0.6%, and off the record 45,073.63 on Dec. 4. The index's high this year was 45,008.75 on Jan. 30, 10 days after Donald Trump took office for his second term. The indexes climbed on the strength of technology firms, including Alphabet, Meta and Apple, all of which rose at least 1%. Earnings reports already have been strong. Verizon's stock price climbed 5% after posting better-than-expected earnings and revenue. Of the 62 S&P companies that have reported, more than 85% beat expectations, according to FactSet data as reported by CNBC. Earnings for the second quarter, which ended June 30, are tracking 5% over one year, according Bank of America. Alphabet and Meta have yet to report. "Rarely do you injure yourself falling out of a basement window," Sam Stovall, chief investment strategist at CFRA Research, said to CNBC. "With expectations so low in earnings, I think that the end result will end up being better than anticipated. That is encouraging for the market, as well." Stoval said he believes the S&P could hit 6,600 before declining. "A lot of the negativity has typically been shaken out of the market during these corrections, and now we're seeing articles about maybe the economy is not as bad as we thought it was, consumer confidence is on the mend and we're not seeing the inflation numbers be adversely affected by tariffs," he said. "Maybe it's just a matter of time before those things kick in, but at least for now, I think investors are saying, 'You know what, the market is indicating that it wants to go higher.'" Dan Greenhaus at Solus Alternative Asset Management was more cautious. He told Bloomberg News: "Given the better-than-expected inflation and economic data -- not to mention corporate commentary which thus far has been pretty good -- I'm not sure I'd put too much stock in the technicals right now." Stocks lately haven't been volatile, especially compared with April. Before trading this week, the S&P Index went 17 sessions without a move of more than 1% in each direction. Trump threatened tariffs on the April 2 "Liberation Day" of across-the-board tariffs on most U.S. trading partners and much higher for offenders. Indexes tumbled to lows this year and the bond market was battered. On April 8, the S&P was down 17.5% to 4,982.77, Nasdaq went into a bear market with a decline of 23.4% to 15,267.93 and DJIA off 15.4% 37,645.59. Then a day later, Trump paused the reciprocal tariffs to July 9. Last week, Trump announced news figures on 25 countries, including 50% against Brazil, 35% on Canada, 30% against the 29 European Union nations, 30% on Mexico. Deals have been reached with some nations, including Britain, China and Vietnam. Looming is the Aug. 1 trade deadline for countries to begin paying higher tariffs. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told CBS News' Face the Nation on Sunday it is a "hard deadline." "That's gotten these countries to the table, and they are going to open their markets or they're going to pay the tariff," Lutnick said. The U.S. economy has been in good shape as the U.S. unemployment fell to 4.1% in June. Consumer prices rose 2.7% over one year, up 2.4% from the previous month. Transportation services were up 3.4%, food at 3%, and uses and trucks as 2.8%, according to Trading Economies. Specifically, energy costs decline by a smaller margin than the previous month. "I think you're going to see inflation stay right where it is," Lutnick said. "Americans can expect 'shockingly low' prices. The federal fund rate remained at a target range of 4.25% to 3.5% after its the Federal Reserve's June 17 and 18 meetings. The Fed's last rate change was a 25 basis point reduction on Dec. 18. Trump has been pressuring Chairman Jerome Powell to lower the rates. But Powell is urging caution and said a reduction could spurt inflation and slow economic growth. Copyright 2025 UPI News Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
