In California, WhatsApp, a subsidiary messaging app of Meta, is set to launch its new Channels feature in over 150 countries.
Channels is designed as a broadcasting tool tailored for celebrities and sports teams to share their updates. It will have its dedicated tab called “Updates,” separate from regular chats with friends and family.
The initial release of this feature took place in Singapore and Colombia in early June, but Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently announced its global expansion in a post. He mentioned that WhatsApp Channels will be introduced worldwide, with thousands of new channels becoming available for users to follow on the platform. These channels will be accessible through the new Updates tab.
This feature can be utilized by companies like Netflix to create their own channels for one-way broadcasting purposes. Channel histories will be retained for a period of 30 days before they automatically expire permanently. Additionally, channel administrators will have the option to block the forwarding of screenshots or updates, ensuring privacy for their followers.