Did Whatsapp clear old chats on last update?

Hello everyone,

I'll start by saying that I haven't lost my whatsapp chats since I began using it in 2010.
Until last update I had all my chats from 2010 in my "Chats" tab in the app.

Today, I realized that my list is a hell lot shorter than it used to be and that all the chats that ended before July 2015 are gone (I would say probably 150 chats).

If I use the search option and search for an old chat contact's name I find him under "Other contacts" and not under "Chats", BUT if I enter the chat I CAN see all the history with him. This seems pretty weird.

I've looked at the database file and it has the same size as it used to have and considering that I can see the history of the chats if I search manually means they haven't been deleted, just cleared from the Chats tab.

Maybe Whatsapp are trying to speed up loading time for the main activity?
Am I the only one who has this issue?
Is it an issue of the current version only?

I'm a freak for nostalgic things and it scares me a lil' but to lose my chats.

I have an international Exynos galaxy s8 plus model.
Whatsapp version 2.17.323

Thanks in advance and have a great day!

I have contacted Whatsapp and I'm getting a generic answer on how to add contacts lol..

I've been searching reviews in google play of the last update and many people seem to have the same issue, not just me.

If your chats are important to you - don't update!