diff --git a/backend/whatsapp.py b/backend/whatsapp.py
index 293e157..6e1e61a 100644
--- a/backend/whatsapp.py
+++ b/backend/whatsapp.py
@@ -18,13 +18,16 @@ logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 async def create_http_client() -> httpx.AsyncClient:
     """
     Create an httpx client with proper certificate verification.
-    Uses certifi for CA bundle and creates proper SSL context for handshake.
+    Uses certifi for CA bundle with minimal SSL configuration for compatibility.
     """
-    # Create SSL context with proper certificate verification
+    # Create SSL context with certifi's CA bundle
     ssl_context = ssl.create_default_context(cafile=certifi.where())
-    ssl_context.minimum_version = ssl.TLSVersion.TLSv1_2
-    ssl_context.maximum_version = ssl.TLSVersion.TLSv1_3
-    ssl_context.options |= ssl.OP_NO_COMPRESSION
+    # Ensure TLS 1.2+ but allow server to negotiate the version
+    try:
+        ssl_context.minimum_version = ssl.TLSVersion.TLSv1_2
+    except AttributeError:
+        # Older Python versions - just use defaults
+        pass
     
     return httpx.AsyncClient(
         verify=ssl_context,