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BUSINESS EYE JUNE 23, 2023 | The Indian Eye 29

TECH T@LK

Know everything about the WhatsApp’s

new feature ‘Channels’

WhatsApp is gradually evolving into more than just a messaging software

OUR BUREAU is in the channel remains in the channel. Channels,
on the other hand, are not end-to-end encrypted;
Washington, DC
they are regarded more like your messages with
hatsApp keeps its users engaged with businesses, which are also not completely private.
new features and updates for the plat- However, WhatsApp has stated that it is consid-
Wform. Now it has introduced a new fea- ering ways to encrypt some channels in the future.
ture called ‘WhatsApp Channels’. WhatsApp is gradually evolving into more
As per The Verge, an American technology than just a messaging software. Just in the last few
news website, the latest WhatsApp feature intro- months, the company has made it possible to use
duces a new type of communication to the world’s one account on multiple phones, has been work-
most popular chat app. It’s known as Channels, officials, and more. ing on a private newsletter tool and a new user-
and it’s intended for one-to-many broadcasting This feature comes with most private broad- names system, has added polls, shopping, and a
rather than discussion. The Meta-owned firm de- cast service available. This starts by protecting the slew of other Facebook-y things to the platform,
scribed it as “a private way to follow what matters,” personal information of both admins and follow- has revamped its Status system, improved its group
and mentions local and sports updates as examples ers. As a channel admin, your phone number and chats, and much more. Channels is simply the lat-
of how you may use it. profile photo won’t be shown to followers. Like- est attempt by WhatsApp to integrate social media
Channels in a new tab called Updates - where wise, following a channel won’t reveal your phone into chat.
you’ll find Status and channels you choose to fol- number to the admin or other followers. Who you Channels, like most WhatsApp innovations,
low - separate from your chats with family, friends, decide to follow is your choice and it’s private. is starting small. The company intends to estab-
and communities. According to WhatsApp statement quoted by lish channels with leading global voices and select
Channels are a one-way broadcast tool for The Verge report, privacy is an important compo- organizations in Colombia and Singapore, where
admins to send text, photos, videos, stickers, and nent of the experience, which is why channel admins’ Channels will first be available, to build, learn,
polls. To help select channels to follow, the compa- information isn’t shared and the app only saves 30 and adapt the experience. It will expand to more
ny is building a searchable directory where you can days of a channel’s history. Admins can even pre- nations and make channel creation open to more
find your hobbies, sports teams, updates from local vent screenshots and forwarding, ensuring that what users “in the coming months.”

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