WhatsApp to Let Users Leave Group Chats 'Silently' and View Rich Link Previews in Status Updates

[MacRumors]

WhatsApp is working on a new feature that will allow users to "silently" leave group chats hosted by the messaging platform instead of all members of the group being notified when they do.

As it stands, when someone leaves a group chat, WhatsApp announces their exit to the entire group, making the act of leaving very public. It's not possible right now to leave a group quietly, but WhatsApp seems to realize that making one's exit less conspicuous may be the safer default.

WhatsApp officially allows up to 256 people to join a single chat group, which can also lead to a lot of coming and going during a conversation, and that could become a distraction to other members.

To ameliorate the situation, a beta feature uncovered by WABetainfo allows users to leave a group chat in such a way that only the administrators of the group are notified. When a group member opts out, a dialog appears that says "Only you and group admins will be notified that you left the group."

In another beta development, WhatsApp is testing rich link previews in Status updates. Sharing a link in a Status update currently only displays the URL, whereas rich link previews would display a preview of the website being linked to, offering users an idea of the content they can be expected to see if they visit the webpage.

As usual, WhatsApp hasn't offered any details on when these new features will roll out to the public while it develops them under the aegis of its beta testers. The last major rollout of new features on the platform earlier this month included emoji reactions, bigger file transfers, and larger groups.

Article Link: WhatsApp to Let Users Leave Group Chats 'Silently' and View Rich Link Previews in Status Updates

 

[LiE_]

How will I make a dramatic exit now? ?

 

[unregbaron]

Crazy this wasn't an option before.

 

[kalsta]

How will I make a dramatic exit now? ?

Yes, there needs to be a ‘Leave Group Chat and Slam the Door on My Way Out’ option.

 

[contacos]

In before: no one uses WhatsApp!

 

[d686546s]

In before: no one uses WhatsApp!

Unless you count the more than 2 billion monthly active users globally, of course.

 

[icanhazmac]

Unless you count the more than 2 billion monthly active users globally, of course.

I feel bad for those that have locked themselves into Zuck's world.

 

[otozuz]

In before: no one uses WhatsApp!

It's the primary messaging platform in many countries.

 

[Deguello]

It's the primary messaging platform in many countries.

“nOnE oF mY fRiEnDs uSe iT.”

 

[jackietreeh0rn]

I feel bad for those that have locked themselves into Zuck's world.

Well, whatsapp has been massively popular before getting Zucquired. And when so many people are dependent on it as their primary means of communication, it becomes difficult to quit.

 

[ian87w]

More "pointless" features.
Meanwhile, the promised feature of inter-platform chat history transfer has yet to be realized.

 

[stu-bim]

Not a groupchat person, never knew it announced it, maybe cause I am always 1st to leave them

Now each year, when I leave the wife in the kids 'class-chat', no one will know I left, lovely

 

[surfzen21]

WhatsApp now lets you Irish Goodbye 😂

Also my favorite way to leave a party. ☮️

 

[stu-bim]

WhatsApp now lets you Irish Goodbye ?

Also my favorite way to leave a party. ☮️

I am Irish, so it's fair. Never heard the phrase before just now tho

 

[surfzen21]

I am Irish, so it's fair. Never heard the phrase before just now tho

Really. It's a common phrase in NY at least. If you leave a party without saying good-bye to anyone is called an Irish goodbye.

TBH sometimes its too much to have to say goodbye to 50 people
🤣

 

[MacLawyer]

In before: no one uses WhatsApp!

I'm using it more and and more, iMessage less and less, for some reason. ?

 

[alexandr]

That awkward moment you realize you are the only participant in your group chat you were so fond of.

 

[surfzen21]

I'm using it more and and more, iMessage less and less, for some reason. 🤔

Most if not all my friends have iPhones so iMessages is the primary messaging app.

Its my understanding that iMessages is more secure than WhatsApp. I wouldnt trust anything Meta owns from a privacy standpoint.

 

[alexandr]

I'm using it more and and more, iMessage less and less, for some reason. ?

Have you tried Telegram?

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Lately, WhatsApp has bee updating their apps sufficiently. Keep them coming.

 

[surfzen21]

Lately, WhatsApp has bee updating their apps sufficiently. Keep them coming.

But do you trust that the communications are private?

 

[GeoStructural]

Unless you count the more than 2 billion monthly active users globally, of course.

I think he was being sarcastic. WhatsApp is absolutely and deservedly reigning the messaging world.

 

[GeoStructural]

I feel bad for those that have locked themselves into Zuck's world.

I feel bad for people that have locked themselves into poor services like iMessage.

An app that is missing like 50 most-needed features, is not fluid to use and platform-locked.

 

[lostPod]

I would love to leave all group chats silently LOL

 

[d686546s]

But do you trust that the communications are private?

It is end-to-end encrypted using the same protocol that Signal and several other messaging applications use. Unlike iMessage, you can even encrypt the backup on iCloud.

If privacy is your focus I'd recommend Signal, which is just as easy to use and has a comparative feature set.

Meta probably uses as much data as possible from you, including connection metadata, but I wouldn't worry about message contents, which is what most people really care about.