Meta’s New WhatsApp Feature Channels: Private Broadcasting Service for Individuals and Organizations

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Meta plans to roll out a new broadcast feature dubbed Channels for the WhatsApp service.

The social networking giant says the Channels feature is similar to a private broadcasting service. Individuals or organizations can send messages and information updates to followers separate from the type of chat between users on WhatsApp.

This mechanism is similar to Twitter which allows users to get updated information from certain people or organizations. The difference is, people who follow Channels on WhatsApp cannot respond to messages like the ‘Reply’, ‘Like’ or ‘RT’ mechanisms on Twitter.

You could say this feature is suitable for Twitter users who have been acting as ‘silent readers’. According to Twitter owner Elon Musk, the majority of Twitter users only see information without responding back.

On the WhatsApp Channel, admins who create accounts can send texts, photos, videos, stickers and polls to their followers.

Channel admins will not be allowed to add followers to their channel. Followers should take the initiative to follow their channel.

Messages broadcast on the Channel will be stored for 30 days before being automatically deleted by the system.

Unlike other regular WhatsApp messages, Channels will not use end-to-end encryption so they can “reach a wide audience”, WhatsApp said in a blog post.

Quoting CNBC International, WhatsApp added that the Channel will be end-to-end encrypted in the future for groups such as non-profit or health organizations who want their communications to be more secure.

WhatsApp users can find the Channels they want to follow. They can access the Channels they follow through the “Updates” tab. WhatsApp says the tab will be separate from regular chats.

WhatsApp said it was working with various agencies such as the Singapore Heart Foundation and Colombia Check. The plan is for the Channel feature to be launched first in Colombia and Singapore before being brought to a wider audience at the end of this year.

Meta, when it was still called Facebook, acquired WhatsApp in 2014 for US$19 billion.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently told Jim Cramer of CNBC International that WhatsApp will enter the next round.

The company will build a more profitable business from Instagram’s service and Facebook’s core application. Meanwhile, WhatsApp will be designed to be a multi-functional platform for its users.

(fab/fab)