False Claims About Paid Viber: What You Should Know
Users of Viber are receiving misleading messages claiming that the messenger will become a paid service starting next Saturday. This information is false. The Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council reported this via Telegram.
«Some users are getting messages stating that «Viber will turn into a paid service next Saturday». The text urges recipients to «forward this message to 10 contacts to keep the messenger free», adding that «the logo will turn blue». This is an old hoax that has circulated since at least 2018. The message lacks any specific dates, official sources, or confirmations from Viber. Phrases like «next Saturday» without a date are included to create a false sense of urgency», the statement says.
It is also noted that no messenger (Viber, WhatsApp, Telegram, etc.) can become a paid service without an official announcement from the company. This message defies logic: Viber cannot automatically charge users if they haven’t provided any payment information.
The Center for Countering Disinformation also emphasizes that such messages serve as a «trust test». The data collected can be used for misinformation campaigns or phishing attacks.
