WhatsApp Rolls Out Events Planning Feature for All Group Chats

[MacRumors]

WhatsApp is rolling out a new feature that lets users organize events within group chats, according to the release notes for the latest update.

The new event planning feature lets users organize events, meetings, and social gatherings directly within a group chat. The feature was rolled out exclusively to Communities group chats in May, but the Meta-owned messaging platform is now rolling it out to all groups. From the WhatsApp blog:

With events it's now easier for people to plan their get togethers directly in WhatsApp, whether it's setting up a virtual meeting or birthday dinner. Anyone can create an event and others can respond so the whole group knows who is coming. Guests can also find the event in the group's information page, and those going will get an automatic notification when it's getting close.

To set up an event, tap the + button in the group and select Event. Users can choose an event name, optional description, a start date, location, and a WhatsApp call link (for either voice or video calls). When the event is created, a notification is sent to all the members in the group. WhatsApp says the option is rolling out now and progressively over the coming weeks.

WhatsApp last month reached a significant milestone of 100 million monthly active users in the United States, which unlike Europe is a market traditionally dominated by other messaging services such as SMS and iMessage.

Article Link: WhatsApp Rolls Out Events Planning Feature for All Group Chats

 

[jlc1978]

I use WHatsApp in Europe since that is what is the most common messaging app. Of course, this new feature just lets Meta hoover up even more data about me and my coworkers and friends

 

[Mischievous_Surf]

This is something I've wanted for awhile on iMessage. I really don't like using Facebook to plan parties and get togethers opting for just txting everyone the details and the invitation.

Would make my planning a lot easier for me and probably everyone else

 

[timemaker27]

Can they stop adding **** and finally release WhatsApp and WA Business for iPadOS?
It's been 'in work' for 5 years......

 

[Octavius8]

And we don’t have to wait 1 year to
Have new features in the “new” iOS… Apple has it wrong. A lot of app changes does not mean a new version of an OS.

 

[shadowboi]

Interesting, can be quite useful for keeping track with friend meetings without having to rely on more complicated tools

 

[shadowboi]

Can they stop adding **** and finally release WhatsApp and WA Business for iPadOS?
It's been 'in work' for 5 years......

Probably small user base. Also they don’t have cloud message sync like Telegram, everything stays locally on the phone so implementing smth like that needs some sort of cloud features

 

[ypl]

I use WHatsApp in Europe since that is what is the most common messaging app. Of course, this new feature just lets Meta hoover up even more data about me and my coworkers and friends

It's called "win-win" scenario. You get useful planning tool, Meta gets a bit more information about you and others. There are tens of other options to organise meetings, should you not like Meta knowing such critical (/s) information about your life.

 

[bigjnyc]

Evil ingenuity by Meta... They will know where a group of people will be and when they will be there... They can charge a premium for targeted ads based on this information.

 

[123]

It's called "win-win" scenario. You get useful planning tool, Meta gets a bit more information about you and others. There are tens of other options to organise meetings, should you not like Meta knowing such critical (/s) information about your life.

Plus they already know who you text and call on a daily basis, and with whom you are in the same group, share photos, locations, go on trips, anyway. Knowing about a scheduled meeting adds little to nothing to their profile about you.

 

[gatorvet96]

I don't like Meta at all but how do they track you if WhatsApp is end-to-end encrypted?

 

[timemaker27]

Probably small user base. Also they don’t have cloud message sync like Telegram, everything stays locally on the phone so implementing smth like that needs some sort of cloud features

there's a beta out of spaces for 3 years in Test Flights....so it is possible and they ve been working on it but what it takes so long and is not a priority......
Also moving from Android to iPhone and back is a pain in the ass.......moving to iPhone I lost all my previous content (the method they describe to do it, did not work for me)

 

[Ramchi]

Very useful for the closely related groups inviting for any functions or gatherings. Good to get the attendees list and plan accordingly.

 

[ypl]

Plus they already know who you text and call on a daily basis, and with whom you are in the same group, share photos, locations, go on trips, anyway. Knowing about a scheduled meeting adds little to nothing to their profile about you.

Exactly.
I hate using Meta apps, but - 0% chance to convince friends, family to use anything different (Signal?) than WhatsApp (some use Facebook Messenger as well) here in Europe. That's crazy. One of the best investements of Zuckerberg.

 

[ypl]

I don't like Meta at all but how do they track you if WhatsApp is end-to-end encrypted?

Are you sure that such feature is possible without centralised server keeping details about meeting and updating its details? Theoretically it would be possible, but not easy. Text and calls _are_ e2ee, but does it neccesarly apply to meetings?

 

[thegerman]

That’s why WA is the standard around the globe im messaging terms. Hopefully iMessage will be more useful and personal in the future.

 

[Crazyblox]

Man that's wild. Anyway I'm dropping Whatsapp once RCS comes to the Messages app

 

[cjsuk]

this is great. I hope they kill Meetup with this because it's buggy as hell and a pain in the ass at the best of times.

 

[ypl]

Man that's wild. Anyway I'm dropping Whatsapp once RCS comes to the Messages app

A/ WhatsApp - Meta knows all your metadata (contacts, etc.) but not messages (it's e2ee)
B/ iMessage +RCS (for Androids) - Google and Apple knows your metadata, content of messages, everything you exchange (it's not encrypted at all)

Are you sure B is better for mixed iOS/Android communication? Google loves your data as much as Meta.

 

[Rhhk]

This would be useful once ortwice a month. An iPad app would be useful many times a day. Just saying…

 

[Crazyblox]

A/ WhatsApp - Meta knows all your metadata (contacts, etc.) but not messages (it's e2ee)
B/ iMessage +RCS (for Androids) - Google and Apple knows your metadata, content of messages, everything you exchange (it's not encrypted at all)

Are you sure B is better for mixed iOS/Android communication? Google loves your data as much as Meta.

So really it's a case of the least damned. Maybe I should move to another messaging client for non-messages app comms.

 

[123]

I don't like Meta at all but how do they track you if WhatsApp is end-to-end encrypted?

End-to-end encryption means the content is not readable by anyone who is not part of the conversation. However, all messages are routed through central WhatsApp servers, they know who sent a message, when and to whom.

They could also create a profile about you on the device, e.g. track topics you discuss, places you visit etc.

 

[davide_eu]

WhatsApp is rolling out a new feature that lets users organize events within group chats, according to the release notes for the latest update.

The new event planning feature lets users organize events, meetings, and social gatherings directly within a group chat. The feature was rolled out exclusively to Communities group chats in May, but the Meta-owned messaging platform is now rolling it out to all groups. From the WhatsApp blog:
To set up an event, tap the + button in the group and select Event. Users can choose an event name, optional description, a start date, location, and a WhatsApp call link (for either voice or video calls). When the event is created, a notification is sent to all the members in the group. WhatsApp says the option is rolling out now and progressively over the coming weeks.

WhatsApp last month reached a significant milestone of 100 million monthly active users in the United States, which unlike Europe is a market traditionally dominated by other messaging services such as SMS and iMessage.

Article Link: WhatsApp Rolls Out Events Planning Feature for All Group Chats

Very useful, thank you!

 

[Hank001]

I don't like Meta at all but how do they track you if WhatsApp is end-to-end encrypted?

Yes, end-to-end is indeed what I read. Which means in senders' and receivers' device, AFAIK. What I don't read about if it's also encrypted at their end, if it's encrypted while in transit.

Anyway, they'll 'track' you when they know the title of the group apps you're in, they know the people you app with, and you have no idea what their privacy settings are.

 

[jlc1978]

It's called "win-win" scenario. You get useful planning tool, Meta gets a bit more information about you and others. There are tens of other options to organise meetings, should you not like Meta knowing such critical (/s) information about your life.

While it's not me per se; you can learn a whole lot by tracking who meets whom, how often, and with whom else; which of course you can then make wider connections.

Edit:Typo