Channels is a one-way broadcast tool on WhatsApp that will help users get important updates from organizations and creators. Using the Channels feature, admins will be able to send messages, photos, videos, stickers, and polls to users. This feature is similar to what Meta recently introduced on Instagram, where creators can create a broadcasting channel to share updates with their followers. On WhatsApp, Meta will add a new tab titled Updates where status updates from WhatsApp users and channels will reside. Announcing the new WhatsApp feature in a blog post, Meta writes, “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.”
WhatsApp Channels feature explained
Meta says that the Channels feature is privacy-oriented and the phone number and profile photo of the admin will not be available to followers. Also, the Channel admin will not be able to access your phone number or profile photo even if you follow a channel. Users will be free to choose the channels of their liking and the list of channels followed by a user will not be visible to anyone. Also, updates from Channels will not remain permanently on the new tab. Meta says that it will store channel history on its servers for up to 30 days and the company will devise a method to make them disappear for users even sooner. Channel admins will also get the rights to block screenshots and forwards from their channels. WhatsApp will also give the option to admins whether they want their Channel to be discovered by everyone and who can follow the channel. Since it is a form of one-way broadcast, the Channel updates will not be end-to-end encrypted. However, Meta says it might add end-to-end encryption to Channels in the future for exceptional cases like non-profit or health organizations. Moreover, Meta also has plans to build a business around the Channels feature by bringing its payment service to Channels and promoting certain channels in the directory. The Channels feature on WhatsApp will be first available in Colombia and Singapore, followed by more regions. You may also like:
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