Meta officially announces WhatsApp Channels

2023-06-08 11:15:00

We had already checked out tests and more preparations in the app, but now it’s official: the Goal announced today the awaited ones whatsapp channels.

Just as it has existed for some time in Telegram, it is a new way for users to follow groups of people and organizations in a private, organized and reliable way.

In WhatsApp, channels can be found in the new tab Updates (Updates), which replaces the old Status — these will also be inside it. Everything can be shared through them, including texts, images, videos, stickers and polls; channel history will be stored on WhatsApp servers for up to 30 days and there will be a search directory for new channels for people to follow.

One of the big differences between the channels and the current groups, with which we are used to, is that nobody (neither the participants nor the administrators) knows who the people following the channel are — that is, nobody will know your phone number, nor will you see your profile picture for example. Admins, if they want, can prevent screenshots and forwarding of content from their channels; even so, the content of the channels will not be end-to-end encrypted.

ourselves, from MacMagazine, we have three channels on Telegram: one for news published here on the site and two for offers (one national and one for those who want to take advantage of promotions in the United States). As soon as possible, we intend to take them to WhatsApp as well.

Despite the official announcement today, for now the feature is only available on Singapore by you Colombia. The promise is that it will be expanded globally “in the coming months”.