diff --git a/backend/whatsapp.py b/backend/whatsapp.py
index 80ba8bf..fb8b9b4 100644
--- a/backend/whatsapp.py
+++ b/backend/whatsapp.py
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@ WhatsApp Cloud API Service
 Handles sending WhatsApp messages via Meta's API
 """
 import os
-import ssl
 import httpx
 import certifi
 import re
@@ -167,8 +166,7 @@ class WhatsAppService:
         url = f"{self.base_url}/{self.phone_number_id}/messages"
         
         try:
-            ssl_ctx = ssl.create_default_context(cafile=certifi.where())
-            async with httpx.AsyncClient(verify=ssl_ctx) as client:
+            async with httpx.AsyncClient(verify=certifi.where()) as client:
                 response = await client.post(
                     url,
                     json=payload,
@@ -298,8 +296,7 @@ class WhatsAppService:
         print("=" * 80 + "\n")
         
         try:
-            ssl_ctx = ssl.create_default_context(cafile=certifi.where())
-            async with httpx.AsyncClient(verify=ssl_ctx) as client:
+            async with httpx.AsyncClient(verify=certifi.where()) as client:
                 response = await client.post(
                     url,
                     json=payload,
@@ -548,8 +545,7 @@ class WhatsAppService:
 
         url = f"{self.base_url}/{self.phone_number_id}/messages"
         try:
-            ssl_ctx = ssl.create_default_context(cafile=certifi.where())
-            async with httpx.AsyncClient(verify=ssl_ctx) as client:
+            async with httpx.AsyncClient(verify=certifi.where()) as client:
                 response = await client.post(
                     url,
                     json=payload,