WhatsApp Channels, a new feature introduced by the Meta-owned messaging platform, is now being made available to users in India and numerous other countries. This feature is positioned as a tool for one-way broadcasting, enabling users to disseminate updates to a broad audience on WhatsApp. Currently, users can browse through a directory to discover channels established by their preferred content creators, businesses, or celebrities, with the added ability to react to messages issued by the channel owner.
On Wednesday, WhatsApp reported that it is rolling out Channels to users across 150 countries, including India. Initially noted in development earlier this year, the feature is expected to be accessible to all users in the upcoming weeks. Meta Co-Founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg shared the update on his own channel, and users can subscribe to the official WhatsApp Channel for platform-related news. Notably, a similar functionality is already available on Instagram, while the competing platform Telegram also permits users to join one-way broadcast channels.
WhatsApp Channels will be featured in a new tab labeled Updates, which will be accessible to users on both iOS and Android devices. This tab will showcase WhatsApp Status messages along with the new Channels feature. Users will also have access to an upgraded directory that filters channels based on their geographical location, highlighting the most popular channels according to follower count, activity levels, and newly created channels on WhatsApp.
To join WhatsApp Channels, users need a valid invite link. In an effort to safeguard user privacy, the app does not disclose the phone number of the channel creator. Members will also remain anonymous to each other, ensuring that their phone numbers are concealed from both the channel owner and other members.
Messages shared through WhatsApp Channels will remain visible for a duration of 30 days, according to the company. While channel members have the option to react to these messages, they will not be able to reply directly. It should be noted that messages broadcast through channels do not benefit from end-to-end encryption—a feature that continues to protect other forms of communication such as direct messages, group chats, calls, status updates, and attachments.
To promote engagement with the new WhatsApp Channels feature, Meta has formed partnerships with the Indian Cricket team and various celebrities, including Diljit Dosanjh, Neha Kakkar, and Katrina Kaif, all of whom have launched their channels on the app. WhatsApp has announced that it will enable all users to create channels in the coming months.
