WhatsApp launches 'channels' for iOS, Android and desktop

WhatsApp, one of the top social media service providers in the world, is launching new features. The most recent version of WhatsApp for iOS, Android, and desktop users is getting ready to roll out its newest features in more nations after introducing "channels" in Singapore and Colombia.

WhatsApp revealed that channels are now accessible in additional nations on its official Twitter account. Users can now access this feature in Egypt, Chile, Malaysia, Morocco, Ukraine, Kenya, and Peru, among other nations.

It stated that you need update the program to see if this feature is enabled for your WhatsApp account.

WABefaInfo wrote on its website: "If you reside in any of these countries and wish to check if this feature is enabled for your WhatsApp account, simply update the WhatsApp application and open it.

"If you notice the "Updates" page, that implies that you can finally begin using channels right immediately! Be aware that WhatsApp has desktop, iOS, and Android apps for this.

You might be interested in learning when channels will be launched in your nation if you live someplace other than the locations listed. Unfortunately, there is no current information on when other nations will be able to access the channels.

However, given that WhatsApp is gradually introducing the channels to more nations at least once a month, it's possible that it could soon be available in your nation.

What Channels are?

This feature, announced earlier this year, is separate from regular chats, as users can follow their preferred channels.

The admins looking over the channels can share content like text, photos, videos, stickers, and polls with their followers.

This feature allows users to share different updates — from hobbies and sports teams to receiving news from local officials.

Meanwhile, the privacy of the admins will also remain intact as WhatsApp keeps their phone numbers and profile photos hidden from followers.

Just like that, the phone numbers of followers will not be shown to the admins and who they choose to follow, making channels a private tool for broadcasting information.

"WhatsApp believes channel updates should not have to stick around forever. For this reason, they plan to store channel history on their servers for up to 30 days, and they are developing new tools to make updates disappear even faster from devices," the WhatsApp watcher wrote earlier.

Admins will also be able to block screenshots, and forwards from their Channels, make their Channels discoverable or keep them hidden.

While these channels are not end-to-end encrypted by default, there is a possibility that limited audience end-to-end encrypted channels might be introduced in the future for non-profits or health institutions.