WhatsApp is now rolling out a renewed privacy feature
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Groups are a vital part of WhatsApp, although as the Facebook-owned messaging platform has grown in popularity so has the number of unwanted group chats. But today, after testing them for a while on iOS, WhatsApp is rolling out new privacy settings which should help control this.
Until now, group admins could add any WhatsApp user to a group without needing their consent – the only requirement being that the user is a contact in the admin’s phone. As part of this latest rollout, though, WhatsApp users will now be able to choose which people can add them to groups.
In order to access the new feature, users need to simply head over to the Settings menu within WhatsApp and tap Accounts. Then a quick tap on Privacy and later Groups will present users with the choice of three options: ‘Everyone,’ ‘My Contacts,’ or ‘Nobody.’ Each one is pretty self-explanatory with ‘Nobody’ meaning users will have to approve every single group with ‘Everyone’ allows users to leave their group invitations completely open, as they are today.
WhatsApp’s latest privacy feature will begin rollout out today to a select number of users before expanding globally across the coming weeks.
Questions & Answers
Q.What specifically is the new privacy feature allowing users to control?
What specifically is the new privacy feature allowing users to control?
The new feature allows WhatsApp users to choose which people can add them to groups. Previously, group administrators could add any contact without their explicit consent.
Q.Where in the WhatsApp application can users find and activate this new setting?
Where in the WhatsApp application can users find and activate this new setting?
Users can access the new feature by going to the Settings menu, then tapping Accounts, followed by Privacy, and finally Groups. This will present the available options.
Q.What are the three different options users have for controlling who can add them to groups?
What are the three different options users have for controlling who can add them to groups?
Users can select from three options: 'Everyone,' 'My Contacts,' or 'Nobody.' 'Nobody' requires approval for all group invitations, while 'Everyone' leaves invitations open as they are currently.
Q.When will this new privacy feature be widely available to all WhatsApp users?
When will this new privacy feature be widely available to all WhatsApp users?
The feature begins rolling out today to a select number of users. It will then expand globally across all users in the coming weeks, rather than immediately.
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