It’s confirmed that some users started to get the expired account message followed by a payment option. There are alternatives like Line, Spotbross, WeChat.

I as a developer and user of the application will choose to pay since I like the messaging system.

Would you pay 0,90 € each year to use whatsapp ? Or will you switch to another service ?

Related Links:
Androidayuda confirms that some Android users had to pay to use Whatsapp
Como pagar Whatsapp con Paypal