After successfully launching “channels,” one of WhatsApp’s newest services, in Singapore and Colombia, the company is now ready to expand it to additional nations.
On its official Twitter account, WhatsApp announced that channels are now available in additional countries.
The channels functionality is now available to users of WhatsApp for iOS, Android, and desktop in Egypt, Chile, Malaysia, Morocco, Ukraine, Kenya, and Peru.
Update the app and launch it if you live in one of these nations and want to see if this functionality is enabled for your WhatsApp account.
“If you notice the “Updates” tab, it suggests that you can finally start using channels right away! Note that this is compatible with WhatsApp for iOS, Android, and desktop apps, according to WaBetaInfo’s website.
What about my country?
If you reside anywhere other than the above locations, you may want to inquire about when Channels will be deployed in your country.
Sadly, it is currently unknown when other countries will be able to receive the channels.
Though it’s conceivable that it won’t be available in your country right away given that WhatsApp gradually adds the channels to new countries at least once a month.
But what are Channels?
WhatsApp announced this feature earlier this year, and it is different from regular discussions as it allows users to follow their chosen Channels.
The administrators that run the Channels can post text, pictures, videos, stickers, and polls for their followers to vote on.
Users can upload a wide range of topics using this function, including news from local governments, hobbies, and sports teams.
WhatsApp’s feature that prevents followers from seeing the admins’ profile photos and phone numbers safeguards the admins’ privacy.
Admins immediately hide the phone numbers of followers and those they choose to follow, transforming Channels into a covert platform for information sharing.
According to WhatsApp, channel updates shouldn’t be necessary for them to stay active permanently. They are developing new methods to make updates disappear even faster from handsets and intend to store channel history on their servers for up to 30 days as a result, according to the aforementioned WhatsApp monitor.
Administrators will also be able to decide whether to allow screenshots and forwards on their channels, as well as whether to make them visible or hidden.
In the future, it is possible that they will introduce restricted audience end-to-end encrypted Channels for non-profits or healthcare organizations, even though these Channels are not end-to-end encrypted by default.