I don't like advertising because I am a weak-willed, susceptible idiot. Thus, I like to use services that don't have advertising, even if they charge for them. For this reason, I like WhatsApp.

Or at least I did until Facebook announced they are going to put advertising on it, breaking the promise they made in 2014 when they bought it

2014:

> And you can still count on absolutely no ads interrupting your communication. There would have been no partnership between our two companies if we had to compromise on the core principles that will always define our company, our vision and our product. (https://blog.whatsapp.com/499/Facebook)

2016:

> The updated privacy policy also paves the way for businesses to send messages to WhatsApp users. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-37184651)

Facebook have used their market dominance to remove their competitors so that the choice is between being exposed to their advertising, or not using social networks at all.

Facebook should do at least one of the following:

1. Reverse their decision so that advertising will not be placed on WhatsApp, and the terms and conditions will make this clear.

2. Allow users to opt out of receiving advertising.

3. Sell WhatsApp so that it can continue to operate profitably without advertising, by charging a fee.

4. Open source the WhatsApp protocol so that end users can use apps that can talk to WhatsApp without receiving advertising.

And if they don't do this, they should be forced to do it. Saying "just don't use it if you don't like it" is not enough when there is no real competition (thanks to Facebook). Let me talk with my friends and family without advertising getting in the way.