In 2021, we saw how Telegram astounded the media sphere with the introduction of the channels feature – a tool that lets users broadcast public messages to large audiences. The feature offers a unique opportunity to reach people directly, sending a notification to their phones with each post. Now, it seems the Meta-owned platform, WhatsApp, is also working on similar features.
As we confirmed in a new update (23.8.0.75) submitted through the TestFlight beta Program, WhatsApp is developing channels just like Telegram. The social media platform is reportedly planning to integrate the one-to-many tool similar to Telegram, for purposes such as broadcasting information.
WhatsApp Telegram-like Channels Feature
WaBetaInfo, who reported the new updates, affirmed that the social media platform is developing a new one-to-many tool for broadcasting information called telegram-like channels. As we see in the screenshot added, WhatsApp plans to rename the Status tab to “Updates” as channels will also be listed within this section of the app.
A WhatsApp Channel is a private platform where joining users’ phone numbers and other personal information is always kept secret. The concept of one-to-many wouldn’t make much sense for channels, thus communications received within a channel are not end-to-end encrypted. It should be noted that channels won’t have an impact on private messaging’s continued end-to-end encryption.
When officially rolled out, users will have discretion over which channels they wish to subscribe to because this is an optional extension of private chat and doesn’t pivot to a public social network, and no one else can see whom they follow or whether they have added them as contacts or not.
Additionally, since there are no automated recommendations or social networks promoting content that viewers didn’t choose to see, people won’t automatically subscribe to channels. As it stands now, the telegram-like Channels features are currently under development and they will be released in a future update of WhatsApp. Thus, stay tuned as we will keep you updated.
