WhatsApp has introduced a new feature called Channels, a contemporary way to share updates that resembles the Telegram channels first launched in 2015.
According to the announcement, Channels offer a simple, secure, and private method to follow important news from individuals and organizations without leaving WhatsApp. Subscribed channels will appear separately from chats and communities in a new “Related” tab, which will also host the status feature.
Channel managers can post messages, photos, videos, stickers, and polls to their channels. Subscribers, meanwhile, can only view content and cannot comment or react. Developers may add more features in future updates to enhance interaction.
Users can subscribe by searching a channel catalog or through a dedicated channel catalog, which will be organized by invitations shared in WhatsApp chats, via email, or posted on social networks.
Privacy improvements are emphasized: the manager’s phone number and profile photo are not visible to subscribers, and user phone numbers are hidden from all channel subscribers, including managers. The list of channels a user subscribes to will also be private from strangers.
Another privacy feature allows posts to be deleted after a set period, similar to temporary messages in chats. WhatsApp will store a channel broadcast history on its servers for up to 30 days. There are also plans to enable deleting information from subscribers’ devices and to give administrators the option to prevent screenshots and sharing of channel content.
Administrators can control who subscribes to their channels and can hide channels from catalog search results to maintain control over reach and visibility.
The official note explains that since channels are intended for a broad audience, they are not end-to-end encrypted by default. In the future, encryption options may be extended to channels with restricted audiences, such as nonprofit organizations or health authorities.
The feature is currently being tested in Colombia and Singapore, with expectations to expand to other countries in the coming months. After broader rollout, WhatsApp users will be able to create their own channels to share information with followers.
Earlier reports noted that WhatsApp beta versions include a feature to choose image quality before sending uploads, suggesting ongoing refinements to media handling in the app.