Skip to main content

WhatsApp just rolled out a giant Internet megaphone

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Facebook-owned messaging service WhatsApp has debuted a new feature for groups to create one-way broadcast communication streams: With the new feature, the owners of a group can make it such that they are the only ones capable of sending messages — essentially handing them a massive megaphone for shouting at people.

Recommended Videos

“Today, we’re launching a new group setting where only admins are able to send messages to a group,” WhatsApp noted in a blog post on Friday. “One way people use groups is to receive important announcements and information, including parents and teachers at schools, community centers, and non-profit organizations.” WhatsApp said that it decided to roll out this feature to help group admins better streamline their communications.

The messaging service has introduced a number of new features over the past few months including group descriptions, a catch-up  feature that’s an out for folks who are constantly getting re-added to groups they’ve previously tried to leave.

In order to turn on this newest feature, you’ll need to open up Group Info, tap on Group Settings, then Send Messages, and select “Only Admins.” The feature will be rolling out to all WhatsApp users across the globe.

What’s striking is the tool’s similarity to a feature of  Telegram, the popular messaging app that was recently banned in Russia. But it’s by no means the first time a Facebook-owned platform has drawn inspiration from a competitive service. Instagram has been copying Snapchat features for years — and as it turns out, beating Snapchat at its own game. Nearly a year ago, Instagram Stories overtook Snapchat in terms of daily users, as well as active users.

As such, it comes as little surprise that WhatsApp is looking increasingly similar to Telegram, especially with regard to this newest feature. While group admins could always broadcast information to a set of users, this is the first time that they can ensure that there isn’t any tangential conversation going on, and that a single person controls the entire stream. As present, WhatsApp boasts over 1.5  billion active users. Comparatively, Telegram only recently reached 200 million active users … close, but no cigar.

Lulu Chang
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…
WhatsApp makes it easier to get the best out of Meta AI
Meta AI WhatsApp widget.

Meta has found another place to push its eponymous AI, after injecting it as a standalone chat character in the world’s most popular messaging app. The latest public beta build of WhatsApp now allows users to create a dedicated widget for Meta AI.

You can either go with a condensed view, or an expanded view where you see three different types of controls. The feature is rolling out with build number v2.25.6.14 of the app via Google Play Store.

Read more
WhatsApp gets a chat redesign
WhatsApp on iPhone with new themes.

If you’re a fan of WhatsApp, we have some good news for you. The free messaging and video calling app now includes chat themes, which should make your experience a little more customized.

To make the change, go to the Chats menu in Settings. From there, select Choose a new wallpaper, then select one of the preset options under two subcategories: Light or Dark.

Read more
WhatsApp’s upcoming translation tool is a boon for non-obvious reasons
WhatsApp app icon appearing on a phone.

WhatApp might soon automatically detect and translate your text messages. If Meta's recent AI work is anything to go by, voice and video translations shouldn't be too far off. On the surface, it might seem like a simple translation tool, but there's more to it than meets the eye.

Just over a year ago, I reported on an app by the Indian government that is used to record attendance and pay over 150 million daily wage workers, who make as little as three dollars per day. Amid problems such as a laggy UI, poor internet connection, and lack of digital literacy, language emerged as a massive barrier in my interviews with these workers, who often travel hundreds of miles to seek work.

Read more