Introduction

Meta Platforms on Thursday launched WhatsApp channels, which the social media giant says will help make the app a “message maker for private broadcasts.”

First Time in Colombia and Singapore

Users in Colombia and Singapore will be the first to take advantage of this feature.

The company said it will bring the feature to users in more countries in the coming months. Users will be able to follow content related to their hobbies, sports teams, the latest data from local officials, and other things.

Keep Your Privacy

Profile pictures and contact information of the person in charge of managing the channel will not be available to subscribers.

Likewise, phone numbers of subscribers will not be disclosed. The World Health Organization, FC Barcelona, and Manchester City are involved in the launch of this feature.

Interact Only with Messages

The channels will be public and available for all users to join.

Messages in them may not be end-to-end encrypted, as is always the case in the application. Only channel owners will be able to send messages within channels, while other members will only receive messages and may provide them with some options to interact with messages.

Conclusion

The launch of WhatsApp channels is a significant move for Meta Platforms as it aims to make WhatsApp a more versatile platform for private broadcasts. While the feature is currently only available in Colombia and Singapore, the company plans to expand it to more countries in the coming months.