“Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg Unveils WhatsApp Channels Launch in India and 150+ Countries, Emphasizing Privacy”
Mark Zuckerberg has introduced WhatsApp Channels, a novel one-way broadcast feature designed to offer a secure means of receiving updates from individuals and organizations that users follow within the messaging platform.
Zuckerberg shared this revelation through his personal WhatsApp Channel, stating, “I am thrilled to introduce WhatsApp Channels, an innovative private channel for receiving updates from individuals and organizations you follow. I’m initiating this channel to disseminate Meta news and updates. Eager to engage with users worldwide.”
This feature facilitates connections and updates from people, sports teams, and organizations that users are interested in tracking.
Channels are accessible via a new tab labeled ‘Updates,’ alongside the existing ‘Status’ section, making it distinct from regular chats. Users will not have visibility into the channels others are following, safeguarding both admin and follower data.
For WhatsApp Web access, users can click the Channels icon, select ‘Create channel,’ and proceed with the onscreen instructions. The setup involves choosing a channel name, which can be modified later, and optionally adding a description and icon. A brief explanation of the channel’s purpose is encouraged to help potential followers understand its content.
As WhatsApp globally expands Channels, it introduces the following updates:
- Enhanced Directory: Users can discover channels filtered by country and explore new, highly active, and popular channels based on follower count.
- Reactions: Users can express feedback using emojis while maintaining the privacy of their reactions, as these are not disclosed to followers.
- Editing: Admins will gain the ability to edit their Updates for up to 30 days, after which the app will automatically remove them from servers.
- Forwarding: When users forward an Update to chats or groups, it will include a link back to the channel for more information.
Prominent figures such as the Indian Cricket Team, Katrina Kaif, Diljit Dosanjh, Akshay Kumar, and numerous other celebrities have already launched their broadcast channels.
The company plans to continually introduce additional features and expand Channels based on user feedback. In the near future, anyone will have the opportunity to create their own channel.
