WhatsApp launches Channels, an in-app alternative to Twitter

The new WhatsApp feature means that the app is no longer solely an instant messaging service, but makes it much more complete. The platform owned by Meta introduced the baptized as channelsa new way to get news and discover the latest publications from brands, organisations, football teams, news portals and more.

The feature, in particular, is a mixture of a social media feed and a newsletter. Users can add accounts to the Channels tab to see the content they post; content that they are also likely to share on their official Twitter or Facebook profiles. The difference, however, is that WhatsApp channels can be a more intuitive way to view those messages.

In this way, the user can follow the official account of Futbol Club Barcelona, ​​and while chatting with his friends or family, go to the “Channels” tab and view the classification of matches, etc. All this without leaving the application. Just like on Twitter and Facebook beads can be almost anything. For example, one with weather updates, another with public transport status, etc.

Another interesting detail is that the channels They serve only to view or read information.users cannot interact with the content, comment or like the post.

WhatsApp channels have privacy features

whatsapp channels they will appear in a new tab called “Updates” in the app., close to communities. This will also group the states so far visible in the exclusive section. The messaging platform has also added a number of additional features to ensure security and privacy in the app.

Whatsapp claims the channel’s message history they will be deleted after 30 days. Channel admins, on the other hand, will have the ability to block the ability to take screenshots or share content. The feature, yes, does not have end-to-end encryption, although the company claims they are working on making this available in the future.

At the moment yes, the number of accounts available in the section whatsapp channels limited. The app essentially claims to be rolling out the feature with a handful of “the world’s leading organizations and select organizations in Colombia and Singapore.” These are the countries in which the feature has become available. WhatsApp claims that the channels will soon be in more markets.