WhatsApp on Thursday launched a new feature called “Channels” within the app for broadcast messaging.
The feature lets people broadcast to followers and receive important information from people and organizations on the messaging app.
This comes as many agencies and organisations have been disappointed with Twitter due to the need of paying for the app, performance problems, and scaled back content moderation.
The channel updates are separate from regular WhatsApp chats and admins will have control over who can or cannot join their channel.
The admins however won’t be able to access the phone number and profile picture of the follower and neither will the follower.
Meta described the feature as simple, reliable, and a private way to receive important updates from people and organisations right within WhatsApp.
A video shared by Meta showed the potential for Channels to keep people up to date on soccer match outcomes, weather, and traffic and even share cooking tips.
"We think the time is finally right to introduce a simple, reliable, and private broadcast tool," Meta said in a post.
Meta said WhatsApp's priority will continue to be private messaging since WhatsApp is known for encryption that protects against snooping.
'Channels' was described as a one-way broadcast tool that lets account administrators send text, photos, videos, stickers, and even polls.
According to Meta, their launch partners include the International Rescue Committee, World Health Organization, FC Barcelona as well as Manchester City football club.
Below is a video on how to use the new feature:
