WhatsApp, the popular messaging platform owned by Meta (formerly Facebook), plans to unvei a new feature called “Channels” that allows admins to send text, photos, videos, stickers, and polls to their followers.
However, unlike regular WhatsApp messages, followers will not be able to reply to these messages. The Channels feature aims to facilitate one-way communication from admins to a large group of users.
WhatsApp clarified that Channels will not employ end-to-end encryption, unlike traditional messages on the platform. This decision allows Channels to reach a wider audience, according to a blog post by WhatsApp. However, WhatsApp mentioned that it may introduce end-to-end encrypted channels in the future, specifically for groups like nonprofits or health organizations that prioritize secure communications.
To facilitate user access, WhatsApp plans to create a searchable directory where users can discover and join the Channels they are interested in. The Channels users follow will be accessible through a separate “Updates” tab, keeping them distinct from personal chats with family, friends, and communities.
As part of its launch strategy, WhatsApp has partnered with organizations such as the Singapore Heart Foundation and Colombia Check nonprofit to debut Channels in Colombia and Singapore. Following these initial launches, WhatsApp intends to expand Channels to other countries later this year.
In the future, WhatsApp plans to enable anyone to create a WhatsApp channel, expanding beyond its current launch partners, which include the International Rescue Committee and the World Health Organization.
Meta acquired WhatsApp in 2014 for a staggering $19 billion when it was still known as Facebook. Since then, WhatsApp has grown to become one of the world’s most widely used messaging apps, boasting billions of active users.
The introduction of Channels represents WhatsApp’s efforts to enhance its platform and provide new ways for admins to engage with a large audience. By enabling admins to share content without receiving replies, WhatsApp aims to cater to specific use cases where one-way communication is desired while maintaining the security and privacy standards that users expect.
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