WhatsApp, owned by Meta Platforms Inc., has rolled out a new feature, ‘Channels’, allowing selected organizations to broadcast content directly to their followers. The development comes as various entities grapple with dissatisfaction surrounding Twitter’s fee structure, performance issues, and shrinking content moderation.
Channels is designed to be a straightforward, reliable, and private medium for receiving updates from various entities directly through WhatsApp. A promotional video shared by Meta demonstrated how Channels could deliver a wide range of updates, such as race and football results, weather forecasts, traffic updates, and even handy tips on cooking and home repairs.
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While reaffirming that private messaging remains WhatsApp’s core offering, Meta acknowledged users’ long-standing desire for a feature like Channels. WhatsApp, with over two billion global users, is known for its encryption capabilities that bolster privacy.
Further enhancing its security proposition, Meta revealed plans to consider encrypted channels for certain groups like nonprofits or health organizations, where heightened security is essential.
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Channels has been characterized as a one-way broadcast tool, permitting account administrators to disseminate text, photos, videos, stickers, and polls. The International Rescue Committee, World Health Organization, and prominent football clubs FC Barcelona and Manchester City are among the inaugural launch partners.
Meta plans to gradually widen the accessibility of Channels in the upcoming months, signaling an evolution in communication dynamics on the popular messaging platform.
News Source: MalayMail
