Facebook denounces detention of its exec in Brazil, calls it an ‘extreme and disproportionate measure’

REUTERS/RICARDO MORAES

Facebook isn’t happy with how a Brazilian court handled a case dealing with its messaging service, WhatsApp. The company finds its Vice President for Latin America Diego Dzodan arrested because the company supposedly failed to cooperate with judicial orders related to a secretive drug-trafficking investigation. Facebook, or WhatsApp more specifically, was demanded by a court to provide data to aid in the investigation. The arrest was issued after a fine of 1 million reais (about $340,000 CAD) was issued to compel Facebook to help. However, it might be difficult to obtain that data. According to Christopher Soghoian, principal technologist with the American Civil Liberties Union, WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption technology in 2014 that prevents them from monitoring messages that travel across its network.

Dzodan is currently held in Sao Paulo state for questioning. The arrest comes in the time when social media, Internet, and tech companies are facing mounting pressure from governments to help them spy on their users and filter content. According to an emailed statement from the company, “Facebook has always been and will be available to address any questions Brazilian authorities may have.”

Source: Reuters (1) + Reuters (2)

WhatsApp to drop support for BlackBerry and other old platforms

If you use WhatsApp, the time has come to finally let go of that old BlackBerry or Symbian device. By the end of 2016, WhatsApp will only support Android 2.3+, iOS, and Windows Phone 8.1+. Those who use BlackBerry devices, Nokia S40, Nokia Symbian S60, Windows Phone 7.1, Android 2.1, and Android 2.2 won’t be supported after that. WhatsApp didn’t say if they were taking the apps out of the app stores or will just halt support for the apps. What’s clear though is it might be best to get a newer device.

Source: The Next Web

WhatsApp for iOS now lets you backup video chats

WhatsApp on iOS gets a significant update with new features including the ability to back up your video chats. The app also gets a new look for cropping pictures and videos. It also now lets you share your location via Apple Maps. If you worry about the app using up more data than you think it should, you can also reduce data usage used when you make calls through the settings > chat and calls section.

WhatsApp also now lets you mute notifications for more active chats. You just need to swipe right to mark a chat as read or unread. You can even share contacts from the Contacts app as well. The features are rolling out to iOS now. There isn’t word yet if Android will be getting some of these new features.

Source: The Next Web | Download: Apple App Store (Free)

Google Now’s ‘Ok Google’ adds WhatsApp, Viber, and WeChat support

Google’s voice-command system expands it reach in your phone further by adding support for some third-party messaging apps. Now, you can talk to the Google Now Launcher to send messages for you on WhatsApp, Viber, and WeChat. You just have to say: “Ok Google, send X message to Y: add message.” X represents the service and Y is the person in your contacts, that contact has to have the same name on your device and the corresponding app though for it to work. So, you can say “Ok Google, send Viber message to dad: Pick up milk today.” The app also adds support for Telegram and NextPlus for voice commands.

Source: SlashGear