WhatsApp announced its new feature on Thursday morning, which will allow you to receive updates from people and organizations straight to the instant messaging app. The feature will initially only be available in Colombia and Singapore, and will gradually roll out to other countries over the next few months.
The new feature, called "Channels", will appear under a new tab called "Updates", where you can see the status and content of the channels you choose to follow – separate from regular chats. Basically, it's a one-way tool for channel managers to send their own followers text messages, videos, photos, stickers, and polls. The channel will also be accessible via invitation links.
Brief history
According to Meta, which owns WhatsApp, the phone number and profile picture of channel managers will not be displayed to followers – and the same will true for regular users, whose number will not be visible to moderators or other channel followers, but this can be changed in settings according to the user's choice.
WhatsApp, photo: Reuters
In addition, the channel history will only be saved for 30 days – after which it will be deleted from WhatsApp's servers. Channel admins will also be able to create disappearing content even after a shorter time, block screenshots and prevent content transfers from their channel, as well as approve followers and configure whether or not the channel appears in the feature's search directory.
According to WhatsApp, the channels are not end-to-end encrypted by default because they appeal to the general public. "We believe there are certain cases where end-to-end encrypted channels may be suitable for a limited audience, such as a nonprofit or health organization, and we are examining this as a possibility that will be possible in the future," the statement said.
According to the company, the channels are a big step for the many users who have asked it to do so for years. "We think it's time, once and for all, to introduce a simple, reliable and private content delivery tool, and hope you'll enjoy using it in the coming months and years to come," the statement said.
Here's how "channels" will look on WhatsApp, photo: courtesy of WhatsApp
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