WhatsApp REALLY doesn't want you sending these messages

Telegram is the new kid on the block and is gaining popularity due to its extra features, including the ability to set a self-destruct timer on messages and send any document type or size through the messenger.

The app has also been applauded for its focus on privacy and stability, following a number of WhatsApp outages.

Unlike WhatsApp which charges 69p per year, Telegram is also totally free to use.

However, it's now believed that WhatsApp is blocking links to the Telegram website, telegram.me and telegram.org.

The new block functionality is believed to have been pushed out in a silent Android update, called version 2.12.367.

Links to Telegram still appear in the messaging window, but do not work as hyperlinks – leaving users to copy and paste the text from the message into their web browser of choice.

It's a cumbersome extra step and could discourage some users from checking out the rival app.

However the link-blocking does not appear to be universal in WhatsApp.

Daily Star Online was unable to replicate the results in the iOS WhatsApp app, version 2.12.12.

Facebook, which bought WhatsApp last year for some $19billion, has previously used link-blocking in its Messenger app and social network to prevent users visiting torrent websites or rival services.

The WhatsApp link-blocking was first highlighted by Reddit users and has since been confirmed by Telegram.

"Typically after a media backlash, FB steps back and blames their intelligent filtering for the problem,” a spokesperson for Telegram told The Verge.

"We expect the same to happen this time as well.”

WhatsApp also appears to be extending users' complimentary first year subscription when the Android app detects Telegram has been installed.

(dailystar.co.uk)