WhatsApp is reportedly working on a new feature called Channels, a new one-to-many tool for broadcasting messages on iOS
Published Date – Sunday, 4/23/23 at 11:30pm
San Francisco: Meta-owned WhatsApp is reportedly working on a new feature called Channels, a new one-to-many tool for broadcasting messages on iOS.
According to WABetaInfo, WhatsApp plans to rename the status tab to “Updates” in order to include channels in this section.
WhatsApp channels are a private tool where phone numbers and user information are kept private at all times.
On the other hand, according to the report, messages received within the channel are not end-to-end encrypted, as the concept of one-to-many means little to the channel.
Additionally, the report states that since this is an optional extension of private messaging, rather than a move to public social networks, people can choose which channels they want to follow, and no one else can see who they follow, whether they add it or not. Whether they act as contacts.
The channel feature will also accept handles, allowing users to find a specific WhatsApp channel simply by typing their username in WhatsApp.
The feature is designed to increase the channel’s accessibility, making it easier for users to receive their favorite updates, the report said.
Channels are currently under development and they will be released in a future update of the app.
Meanwhile, WhatsApp rolled out a “keep chat” feature that allows users to long-press a message in a disappearing message thread and choose to save it.
WhatsApp calls this a “sender superpower,” where senders can choose to allow others in the chat to keep certain messages for later.
