Article summary
- WhatsApp has introduced a new feature called Channels, allowing users to follow people and organizations for updates, similar to Twitter.
- The announcement was made by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg via his Instagram channel. Channels are described as separate from personal chats and will be displayed in a new Updates tab.
- The feature is initially rolling out in Singapore and Colombia and will be available to everyone later this year. WhatsApp is also working on end-to-end encrypted channels for limited audiences.
WhatsApp has introduced a new feature called Channels, that allowed users to get followers on the platform just like Twitter.
Meta CEO, Mark Zuckerberg announced the new feature on Thursday via his Instagram channel. According to him, What’s Channels are different from users’ personal chat.
He described the Channels as a private feature that allows people to follow people and organisations that matter to them. Zuckerberg said the feature is rolling out first in Singapore and Colombia and will roll out to everyone later this year.
Zuckerberg’s announcement
The Meta CEO, while sharing the announcement via an Instagram broadcast, said:
- “Everyone, today we’re announcing WhatsApp channels, which are going to let you privately follow people and organisations that you want to get updates from. WhatsApp channels are separate from your personal chats and they’ll show up on a new Updates tab where over time you’re going to be able to find all of the channels that you want to follow.
- “For me, this is stuff like the UFC or the Drone Racing League. This is WhatsApp. So we’re building channels to be the most private way to communicate. As a channel admin, your phone number won’t be shown to followers, and following a channel won’t show that to the admin or others following the channel either.
- “One of WhatsApp’s core principles is to not store your messages. That’s why channel updates will only be available for 30 days with no permanent record. In the future. When you create a channel you’ll have a choice whether anyone can follow you or if you want it to be hidden or approve requests.”
Zuckerberg said WhatsApp is also working on end-to-end encrypted channels for organisations or individuals that are trying to reach limited audiences.
- “We’re just getting started with channels. And I can’t wait to bring this to everyone later this year,” he added.
