WhatsApp releases Channels feature for broadcast messages

On Thursday, WhatsApp started allowing a small number of businesses to test a brand-new feature called “Channels” that allows them to broadcast to followers on the well-known, Meta-owned messaging app.

The launch occurs as a number of organizations and agencies become weary of Elon Musk’s Twitter due to costs, performance issues, and drastically reduced content filtering.

“A simple, dependable, and private way to receive important updates from people and organizations, right within WhatsApp,” according to Meta, describes Channels.

A video posted by Meta demonstrated how Channels might provide users with information on traffic, weather, soccer match results, and even culinary and home maintenance advice.

“We think the time is finally right to introduce a simple, reliable, and private broadcast tool,” Meta said in a post.

According to Meta, WhatsApp’s focus will remain on private chat, although users have long requested a feature similar to Channels.

WhatsApp is renowned for its anti-snooping encryption.

WhatsApp claims to be used by more than two billion people worldwide.

According to Meta, it is looking at the possibility of providing encrypted routes to organizations like charity or healthcare providers where that degree of protection may be required.

A one-way broadcasting mechanism called Channels was touted as allowing account managers to send text, images, videos, stickers, and polls.

According to Meta, global launch partners include the International Rescue Committee, the World Health Organization, FC Barcelona, and Manchester City.

The giant of Silicon Valley technology said that it will progressively increase Channels’ accessibility in the next months.