WhatsApp is reportedly developing a new feature that will be called “channels” instead of “newsletters,” according to WaBetaInfo, an app-tracking website. The feature, which is currently in development, will not be released to beta testers until it is ready. The company had been working on newsletters as a one-to-many tool for broadcasting information to users from sources they want to hear from.
The channels will be available in a separate and optional section of the Status tab, which has been renamed “updates.” The tab will also feature a redesigned interface for status updates.
According to WaBetaInfo, “A WhatsApp Channel is marked as a private tool since phone numbers and user information joining a channel are always hidden. However, messages received within a channel won’t be end-to-end encrypted as the concept of one-to-many referred to channels wouldn’t make much sense as a large number of users will be able to subscribe to a channel.”
However, end-to-end encrypted private messages will not be impacted by the channels, as they are already end-to-end encrypted. Users will have control over which channels they subscribe to, and no one else will be able to see who they follow, even if they are added to their contacts.
The channels will not auto-subscribe users, as there are no algorithmic recommendations or social graphs to show users content that they do not want to see. Users will be able to search for specific WhatsApp channels by entering the username, eliminating the need to navigate external websites. The new feature aims to improve the accessibility of channels and provide users with their preferred updates.