WhatsApp introduces Channels feature for broadcast messages

WhatsApp announced the launch of a broadcast-based messaging feature, called Channels. Channels is a simple, reliable, and private way to receive important updates from people and organizations, right within WhatsApp. WhatsApp is building a new tab called Updates where Channels messages will show up.

According to the Meta company in a blog post, “Channels are a one-way broadcast tool for admins to send text, photos, videos, stickers, and polls. To help you select channels to follow, we’re building a searchable directory where you can find your hobbies, sports teams, updates from local officials, and more. You can also get to a channel from invite links sent in chats, e-mail, or posted online.”

“We’re aspiring to build the most private broadcast service available. This starts by protecting the personal information of both admins and followers. As a channel admin, your phone number and profile photo won’t be shown to followers. Likewise, following a channel won’t reveal your phone number to the admin or other followers. Who you decide to follow is your choice and it’s private.”

WhatsApp says messages sent on Channels will only be stored in the channel history on its servers for up to 30 days and it’ll add ways to make updates disappear even faster from follower’s devices. Admins will also have the option to block screenshots and forwards from their channel.

Administrators will provided with the ability to control the audience of their channel by deciding who can follow it and whether it should be included in the directory for discoverability. While the primary goal of Channels is to reach a broad audience, WhatsApp acknowledges that there may be situations where limited, end-to-end encrypted channels are appropriate, particularly for non-profit or healthcare organizations. The social media company is actively considering this as a potential feature for future implementation.

Channels will first be available in Colombia and Singapore and will be rolled out to other countries in the coming months.

WhatsApp is rather coming late to the game as other social media platforms like Telegram and Instagram have similar features. Telegram’s feature is also called Channels while Instagram’s feature is called broadcast channels.