WhatsApp blocks links to rival Telegram

Whatsapp is reportedly stopping users of its Android app from linking to rival messenger Telegram, with any URL with the word "telegram" included no longer being recognised as a hyperlink.

The issue was flagged by user Shlagger on Reddit, who captured a screenshot of his efforts to link to telegram.me in various ways. Telegram.org, a newspaper based in Massachusetts, is also not registered as a link, suggesting that the app is blocking the word generally.

Although the links appear in the chat box as plain text, users are also unable to copy and paste the links over to another app, according to reports.

This comes following a recent update from WhatsApp, 2.12.367, which has reportedly only affected some Android users. Other Reddit users confirmed that the links are recognised in version 2.12.304.

Telegram confirmed to The Verge that the app is indeed being blocked for some users on WhatsApp, and a spokesperson told the site: "Typically after a media backlash, FB steps back and blames their intelligent filtering for the problem. We expect the same to happen this time as well."

Many Reddit users posting the in the thread aren't happy with the revelation, with many voicing their complaints and some declaring that they would be switching.

"Actually, this dirty trick is the thing that actually convinced me to made the switch. And I have to tell you, Telegram is clearly superior," wrote user FreemanAMG.

"Most of the time, you can't really compare them and it comes down to what people around you use," user Drundolf also wrote. "It's not even a personal choice anymore, it's based on what others use. Try convincing 20 people to all switch when what they're currently using works perfectly well."