WhatsApp, the widely used messaging app, has introduced a set of new features aimed at providing users with greater control and insight before joining group chats. The update, which comes in response to concerns about users being added to groups without their consent, allows individuals to view essential details about a group before deciding whether to stay or leave.
In a message following the update, WhatsApp highlighted the new feature:
“New: Know more before joining a group. Added to a new chat? Now you can get a closer look at more details, like who added you, when the group was created, and what it’s all about. So you can do a quick safety check before you stay and hang out.”
The company emphasized its commitment to user safety and security, noting, “When you’re added to a group, we show you information about the group so you can decide if you want to stay or leave. In addition to the group name and who added you, you can quickly see who created the group, when it was created, and the description. When you’re added by someone who isn’t a contact, you’ll see safety tools available to you.”
These updates also offer enhanced group privacy settings. Users can now customize who can add them to a group by selecting from the options Everyone, My contacts, or My contacts except…, offering added control over their participation in group chats.
Additionally, WhatsApp has provided users with the ability to report messages and block contacts within groups. This ensures that users can block unwanted communication and prevent further messages or calls from problematic contacts, while still being able to view their messages within group settings.
In another enhancement, WhatsApp introduced real-time video note sharing. Users can now press and hold the camera icon in chats to instantly send videos of up to 60 seconds, allowing for more engaging and interactive communication. As WhatsApp explained, “Now everyone can feel like they’re there, no matter the distance.”
These new features underscore WhatsApp’s ongoing efforts to make group interactions more secure and user-friendly, while also addressing concerns around privacy and safety.
By Anthony Emeka Nwosu
