Meta continues to highlight WhatsApp news channels. Messages from channels that are shared in statuses will be entitled to a new layout that is openly inspired by Instagram.
Still little known, WhatsApp Channels marked a turning point for instant messaging when they arrived last September. Indeed, the possibility of communicating publicly contrasts somewhat with its confidentiality and security policy. There is no doubt that Meta is looking towards the disappointed side of new place to share their most important updates.
Mark Zuckerberg’s company intends to give more importance to this aspect of WhatsApp, even if it means taking inspiration from its social networks. The specialized site WABetaInfo discovered in beta version 2.24.1.6 of the Android application a new interface for Channel messages, when shared in statuses, which is inspired by the Instagram layout. We are getting a button and a revamped layout, providing a distinctive appearance to messages in statuses from Channels. A bit like sharing Instagram posts in Story! A way to clearly indicate that the content published on the status comes from a channel, and to make people want to go and see – and therefore create additional engagement with the Channels. Not to mention that this makes it possible to standardize navigation between the company’s different platforms, namely Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and the newcomer Threads. For now, only beta testers have access to this new feature, which should be rolled out to the general public in the coming weeks.
WhatsApp channels: a communication channel for everyone
WhatsApp channels are one-way communication channels, which allow their administrators to send messages, photos, videos, stickers and surveys. It can be accessed through a new tab called “News”, in order to distinguish this space from discussions with loved ones or in groups, and from Communities. You can reply to messages with a comment or an emoji, but these are not shown to other users. A principle which somewhat resembles what exists on Telegram. Note that Meta also recently added a function similar to Instagram, called Channels, and that Telegram also offers this same principle.
To find channels to follow, Mark Zunkerberg’s company has set up a directory in which you can search for interests, sports teams, public figures, etc. It is possible to find specific channels by following an invitation link. The firm says partner organizations like the International Rescue Committee (IRC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and football teams FC Barcelona and Manchester United will participate. DJ Snake, McFly and Carlito, singer Drake and Enjoyphoenix, Inoxtag and Joyca also attended. The directory also makes it easier to find new channels, the most active channels and popular channels based on their number of followers.
WhatsApp channels: what about security?
But what impact does this new feature have on the use of messaging? Meta wants to be reassuring, and explains that “WhatsApp channels will aim to become the most secure public message broadcasting function available and to continue to offer a level of confidentiality that meets the expectations of the application’s users.” Therefore, telephone numbers are not displayed, as is the choice of channels to follow. In addition, channel news is limited in time since it will be deleted from the servers after thirty days. The company is subsequently planning a function to make it disappear even sooner from instant messaging. Admins will have the ability to block screenshots and forwarding on their channel, and to indicate whether their channel will be discoverable in the directory or not. They will also be able to modify their publications for thirty days.
But given that the goal of these channels is to “reach a wide audience”, they will not be encrypted by default like private conversations. But subsequently, it may be possible to encrypt it end-to-end in certain cases, for non-profit or health organizations for example. A technique that allows you not to be spied on or pursued by Governments. This type of encryption ensures that messages can only be read by the sender and recipient. The company assures that other functions will be added later, based on user feedback.
Meta is gradually transforming WhatsApp into something more than just instant messaging. In fact, the company made it possible to use an account on several phones, added a new username system, new functions to its statuses, began to integrate a payment method into its platform, and many other things too. Finally, it also gives its platform a social network dimension, and the integration of the channels seems to go completely in this direction! And the company is not losing its way, since it is already considering integrating its payment service, giving channels the possibility of purchasing visibility, and other monetization services. A way to recover money, while Meta is hit hard by inflation and continues waves of layoffs.