WhatsApp, the messaging platform owned by Meta, has officially launched WhatsApp Channels in over 150 countries, including India, on September 13. WhatsApp Channels provides users with a private means of receiving important updates directly on the WhatsApp platform.
WhatsApp Channels are distinct from regular chats, and the identities of the users you choose to follow are not visible to others. This new feature welcomes thousands of organizations, sports teams, artists, and thought leaders to connect with their audience within WhatsApp.
Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, also introduced WhatsApp Channels on his own WhatsApp Channel, announcing it as a private way for people to receive updates from individuals and organizations they follow. He initiated his own channel to share Meta-related news and updates.
As part of the global rollout, WhatsApp has introduced several enhancements to Channels, including an improved directory, the ability to react with emojis to provide feedback, the option to edit updates, and the ability to forward updates to other chats and groups with a link back to the original channel.
Users can easily discover and follow channels based on their location, and they can explore new, highly active, and popular channels based on their follower counts. While users can express their reactions with emojis, these reactions remain private and are not visible to other followers.
WhatsApp plans to continually expand and enhance Channels based on user feedback. In the coming months, they will also enable anyone to create their own channel, making it even more versatile.
In light of growing concerns about privacy and data protection, WhatsApp reassures users that the personal information for both channel administrators and followers will be safeguarded. This comes as WhatsApp has taken proactive steps to address fraudulent activities and protect its users, including the deregistration of suspicious phone numbers.
In recent times, WhatsApp has been actively involved in combating spam and fraudulent activities, including a government ban on over 66,000 WhatsApp accounts related to spam job calls in India. These efforts reflect WhatsApp's commitment to providing a secure and reliable messaging platform for its global user base.
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