WhatsApp launches ‘Channels’ feature with unlimited members

To further increase competition with Telegram, WhatsApp launched Channels this Thursday (8). The tool is very similar to its competitor and serves for one-way transmission of messages, media, stickers and polls.

Initially the feature is not available in Brazil and is expected to arrive in the coming months. It only starts in Colombia and Singapore. According to Meta messenger’s description, Channels are a simple, reliable and private way to receive important updates from individuals and organizations.

News will be in a new tab called Updates. It will replace what currently appears as Status in the app’s layout. This last functionality will be added in Updates above the Followed Channels list.

Messenger users will be able to search for what they want to follow. Invite links can be shared as well as those on Telegram. And like the competitor, the number of followers is unlimited, unlike regular groups.

WhatsApp also claims that the channel offers more privacy and protects personal information from admins and followers. As the phone numbers of the followers are kept confidential, the Adms phone number and profile picture will not be shown to the followers.

The history of each channel will only be stored on the servers of the application for up to 30 days. It will also be possible to make the content disappear faster. Additionally, admins can block screenshots and control who can follow the channel and whether the channel is public.

WhatsApp reminded that Channels are not protected with end-to-end encryption. “There are some situations where channels with this protection might make sense for a limited audience, such as healthcare or nonprofits, and we’re considering that as a future option as well.”