Meta introduces WhatsApp Channels with support for one-way broadcast messages

WhatsApp channel can be used to broadcast private messages to subscribers.

WhatsApp channels are now available in Colombia and Singapore (Image credit: WhatsApp)

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Meta’s instant messaging platform gets new features almost every fortnight. With the latest update, the company has introduced channels on WhatsApp, where users can privately subscribe to people and organisations to receive important updates directly on WhatsApp.

Channels on WhatsApp are currently limited to Colombia and Singapore for now. However, Meta has confirmed that it will be made available to more markets soon. At present, all individuals and organisations in Singapore and Columbia (where the product has been launched) can create channels.

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What is a WhatsApp channel and how to use it?

Channels on WhatsApp are one-way broadcast tools where admins can post pictures, videos, stickers, and polls. When a user subscribes to a specific channel, they will receive all the content in a separate tab. One can either join these channels via an invite or they can also search for the same within WhatsApp.

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WhatsApp has created a new menu option called “updates” on the app, which now houses both status and channels. Hence, the channel updates will be separate from regular WhatsApp chats. On top of that, channel admins will also have control over who can or cannot join their channel, and channel admins won’t be able to access the phone number and profile picture of the follower, and vice versa.

A single message on the WhatsApp channel only stays for up to 30 days. Right now, messages on WhatsApp channels are not end-to-end encrypted. However, the company has confirmed that it is exploring all possibilities to add the same, at least for select channels that might involve non-profit and health organisations.

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Nizamuddin went to the US in December 2015 for a Master’s course in Computer Science, which he completed from Florida Institute of Technology in 2017. He completed his B.Tech in ECE from Jayaprakash Narayan College of Engineering, Mahbubnagar.

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