WhatsApp to Add Scheduled Messaging Feature Amidst Privacy Concerns and Regulatory Scrutiny
WhatsApp is reportedly developing a long-awaited feature that will allow users to schedule messages for future delivery. This update comes as the messaging platform faces increased scrutiny over its privacy policies and ongoing legal challenges.
Scheduled Messaging: A Convenient Feature in Development
According to WABetaInfo, WhatsApp is currently testing a “Scheduled Messages” function. This feature will enable users to compose a message and set a specific date and time for it to be automatically sent within a chat. The addition aims to enhance user convenience, allowing for timely reminders or messages to be delivered even when users are unavailable.
Regulatory Challenges and Privacy Concerns
The development of this feature occurs as WhatsApp and its parent company, Meta Platforms, are appealing a Rs 213.14 crore (approximately $25.6 million USD) penalty imposed by the Competition Commission of India (CCI). The penalty stems from concerns over WhatsApp’s 2021 privacy policy and data-sharing practices, as reported by The Shillong Times. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the appeals on February 23, 2026.
The CCI’s concerns center around WhatsApp’s “take it or leave it” privacy policy, which allegedly limits user choice regarding data sharing. The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) had previously upheld the CCI’s penalty, a decision Meta and WhatsApp are now challenging.
Russia Bans WhatsApp
Adding to WhatsApp’s challenges, Russia has banned the messaging app as of February 2026, according to reports circulating on Instagram. The reasons for the ban remain unclear, but it represents a significant loss of market access for the platform.
Other Global Events
Beyond WhatsApp-specific news, February 2026 has been marked by significant global events. A major nor’easter snowstorm has caused blizzard conditions and transportation disruptions across the East Coast of the United States, as reported by CNN and detailed in Wikipedia. Search and rescue operations are underway in the Philippines following a landfill collapse. A significant security operation in Mexico resulted in the death of Nemesio Oseguera “El Mencho” Cervantes, leader of the Jalisco Modern Generation Cartel (CJNG), triggering retaliatory attacks across multiple states.
Looking Ahead
As WhatsApp introduces new features like scheduled messaging, it simultaneously navigates complex regulatory landscapes and geopolitical challenges. The outcome of the Supreme Court hearing in India and the implications of the Russian ban will be crucial in shaping the platform’s future.