WhatsApp Introduces New Channels Feature

Meta-owned instant messaging app, WhatsApp, has introduced a new private tool called Channels, which allows admins to send text, photos, videos, stickers, and polls to their followers in a one-way broadcast.

According to the company, users in Colombia and Singapore will be the first to get access to the channels. Over the coming months, the Meta-owned app will expand the availability of the tool to users in more countries.

“Today we’re announcing WhatsApp Channels — a private way to follow the people and organizations you care about directly on WhatsApp. We’re starting in Singapore and Colombia, but it’s coming later this year. We’re building Channels to be the most private way to communicate,” Mark Zuckerberg said in a blog post.

According to Zuckerberg, as a channel administrator, your phone number and profile picture remain hidden from followers, ensuring that your personal information is always protected.

Similarly, followers’ phone numbers are not revealed to administrators or other followers. Additionally, follower selection is completely private, giving users complete control over their participation

“One of WhatsApp’s core principles is not to save your messages. That’s why channel updates are only available for 30 days without permanent storage. We’re just getting started with channels. And I can’t wait to bring this to everyone later this year,” he said.

To help you choose which channels to follow, WhatsApp builds a Searchable Directory where you can find your hobbies, sports teams, local government updates, and more. You can also access the channel from invitation links sent in chats, e-mail or online.

Additionally, admins can decide who can follow their channel and whether they want their channel to be discoverable in the directory or not.

Because Channels aim to reach a broad audience, Channels are not end-to-end encrypted by default, WhatsApp said.