[fwn]

I have always assumed that WhatsApp just does a lot of things for Meta that aren't immediately obvious to the user.

For example, the app insists on downloading all the "status" pictures/videos that contacts post. I never open that part of the app, so I never see any of those media files. However, WhatsApp traffic stats inform me that it apparently consumed 1.4 GB of traffic to download 16,047 status updates. I have seen almost zero status updates and i have sent zero status updates.

This is, apparently, (16.7 / 1.4 ) × 100 ≈ 8.38 % of all traffic documented by my WhatsApp usage counter. .. and it is just wastefulness, probably to boost someones KPIs or something.

Compare that to Signal, where you can disable that entire feature in the settings.

Another example: Even though I never listen to voice messages, the app insists on downloading all of them. While other media can be configured to not download automatically, downloading all voice messages is mandatory.

Maybe in some group I am part of, WhatsApp is downloading a voice message (that I'll never listen to) right now.