Aka Ekene, PBA Journalism MenteeHighlights
– WhatsApp is developing a Telegram-like Channels feature for broadcasting information to large audiences.
– The feature will be integrated into the app’s Status tab and called “Updates.”
– The feature is an extension of private chat, and users can keep their subscriptions private.
In 2021, Telegram introduced a new feature called Channels that allows users to broadcast public messages to large audiences.
Now, WhatsApp, owned by Meta, is reportedly working on similar features, according to a new update (23.8.0.75) submitted through the TestFlight beta program.
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As reported by WaBetaInfo, the social media platform is developing a new one-to-many tool for broadcasting information called Telegram-like Channels. The feature will according to the report, be integrated into the app’s Status tab, which will be renamed “Updates” to accommodate the new addition.
A WhatsApp Channel will be a private platform where joining users’ phone numbers and personal information will be kept secret. While communications within a channel will not be end-to-end encrypted, they will not have an impact on private messaging’s continued end-to-end encryption.
Once officially rolled out, users will have the discretion to choose which channels they wish to subscribe to, as this is an optional extension of private chat and does not pivot to a public social network. No one else can see whom they follow or whether they have added them as contacts.
As the telegram-like Channels feature is still under development, no release date has been announced.
In conclusion, with the development of a Telegram-like Channels feature on WhatsApp, the platform will offer users a new way to broadcast information to large audiences. While this feature may not have end-to-end encryption for communications within a channel, it will not affect the encryption of private messages. Users will have the option to subscribe to channels and keep their subscriptions private, ensuring that this is an extension of private chat rather than a public social network. As the feature is still under development, WhatsApp users can stay tuned for further updates on its release.
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