WhatsApp prefers to leave the UK market than disable its end-to-end encryption to comply with the UK’s online safety bill
However, since even WhatsApp can’t read the messages sent through its platform, it can’t comply with the requests to intercept messages or actively monitor communications for child protection or anti-terrorism purposes unless it deactivates its end-to-end encryption.
If WhatsApp refuses to comply with the government’s or Ofcom’s demand, it could be subject to fines of up to 4% of Meta’s annual turnover. WhatsApp could also choose not to pay the fines, but then it would have to withdraw from the UK market completely.
The good news is that the online safety bill is expected to return to Parliament this summer, which means WhatsApp isn’t going anywhere for at least a few more months. And if you want to use WhatsApp on a brand new powerful smartphone, feel free to check out our best Virgin Media phone deals, best O2 phone deals, and best Vodafone phone deals articles, where you can find amazing deals on some of the best smartphones on the market.