WhatsApp is the most popular messenger service in the world. Apparently the provider doesn’t want to rest on its laurels and is now integrating a function into its app that is also known from Telegram. That’s what lies behind it.
So far, WhatsApp Messenger has been primarily that: a pure messenger. The provider expands its functions with a constant stream of updates. The innovation that has now been introduced is one of the biggest in recent years. Following the example of its competitor Telegram, WhatsApp is introducing so-called channels. TECHBOOK reveals what exactly this is all about.
WhatsApp introduces channels for messengers
The WhatsApp channels are intended to position Messenger even more clearly as a messaging platform. The service announced this in June 2023, among other things via his blog at. According to WhatsApp, the channels are intended to be a way to “receive important updates from individuals and companies directly (…)”.
The new function initially started in Singapore and Colombia. Other countries are now following suit, including Germany. Only selected organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) can open a channel at the time of release. But celebrities like Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg already have their own channel that you can follow. Anyone who uses the function can also find large football clubs such as BVB or Bayern Munich.
WhatsApp also seems to be concerned with generating administrators for the new function. The announcement mentions, among other things, that you could use the channels to build your own business, for which the messenger’s payment services would then also be available. In some countries such as Brazil, this already includes their own payment service WhatsApp Pay.
This is how WhatsApp channels work
To use WhatsApp channels, you have to go to the new tab called “News”. There you will find the “Channels” area, separate from the histories and status messages of existing chats and contacts. Channels selected by the user are then located under the WhatsApp status messages from contacts. Additional channels can be added at any time using the plus symbol.
There is a large directory so that individual users can find channels that are interesting for themselves. This can be used to filter by specific subject areas or names. You can also use ready-made filters to find the most active or popular channels.
Also interesting: Messages will soon be able to be sent to other messengers via WhatsApp
If you want to join a channel on WhatsApp, you can do so directly via Messenger or via a special invitation link. After 30 days, all content of a channel will be deleted again; Administrators may be able to remove previously shared images, links or status messages.
With messengers like WhatsApp, a lack of data protection is also often an issue. In order to ensure this with the new channel function, the profiles and linked telephone numbers cannot be viewed – neither by administrators nor by other members of the channel. This is particularly relevant because the channels are not end-to-end encrypted.