Users of the Viber messenger have started receiving messages claiming that the service will become paid as early as next Saturday. This information is false. The Center for Counteracting Disinformation under the National Security and Defense Council has reported this on Telegram.

“Users are receiving messages stating that ‘next Saturday Viber will become paid.’ The text urges them to ‘forward this message to 10 contacts to keep the messenger free,’ adding that after this ‘the logo will turn blue.’ This is an old hoax that has been circulating since at least 2018. The message lacks any specific dates or official confirmation from Viber. Phrases like ‘next Saturday’ are included to create a sense of urgency,” the report says.

It is noted that no messenger (Viber, WhatsApp, Telegram, etc.) can become paid without an official announcement from the company. This message contradicts logic: Viber cannot automatically charge fees if the user has not provided their payment information.

The Center for Counteracting Disinformation indicates that such messages serve as a form of “trust test.” The data collected can be used for misinformation campaigns or phishing attacks.