WhatsApp Updates With New Group Features and More Admin Controls

[MacRumors]

Facebook-owned chat app WhatsApp today updated its iOS and Android applications with a collection of new features aimed at making group chats more in-depth and easier to catch up with. The update also introduces revamped administrator controls to enhance a group's privacy during chats.

To start, users can set a short blurb under their group info to highlight the "purpose, guidelines, or topics" that will be the main focus of the discussions. This way, when a new member joins the blurb will appear at the top of the chat and they'll understand the general goal of the group.

When users have been away from a group chat for a period of time, they can now catch up on any messages that specifically mentioned them, in a similar vein to Discord and Slack. Users can find the catch-up feature behind a new @ button at the bottom right corner of chat. Additionally, a new participant search lets users find anyone in their group through a search bar on the group info page.

Groups have been an important part of the WhatsApp experience, whether it's family members connecting across the globe or childhood friends staying in touch over the years. There are also people coming together in groups on WhatsApp like new parents looking for support, students organizing study sessions, and even city leaders coordinating relief efforts after natural disasters. Today, we're sharing improvements that we've made to groups.

For admins, there is a new control to restrict which members can change the group's subject, icon, and description. Admins can also now remove admin permissions of other group participants, while group creators can no longer be kicked out of the group they started. The company said that it has also introduced a safeguard that will protect users from repeatedly being added to groups they have already left.

The updates are rolling out today for WhatsApp on iOS [Direct Link] and Android.

Article Link: WhatsApp Updates With New Group Features and More Admin Controls

 

[Vasilioskn]

So I won’t be using WhatsApp because of Facebook, but I do have Vibr. Is vibr decent with their privacy or should I be worried?

 

[Saipher]

Nice update! Those were needed features.

 

[thewap]

Deleted WhatsApp after the facebook takeover.

 

[dsraj]

Wish they would make Groups request-based. Right now anybody can add you to any group if they have your number and spam you with messages. Once you’re added, everybody in the group can see your number.

Muting groups doesn’t work well either. If there is a new message, you still get the notification dot on the app icon.

 

[DaPizzaMan]

Muting groups doesn’t work well either. If there is a new message, you still get the notification dot on the app icon.

I've complained about this so many times to get the generic "not a feature at this time" response. This and being able to view / filter voice notes are a must.

 

[CarpalMac]

Deleted WhatsApp after the facebook takeover.

I used it briefly recently as a work group is on it. After using Telegram for several years it is like stepping back in time, it is so frustrating to use, it is astonishing to me that it is as popular as it is. Even more so with Zuckerberg snooping.

 

[jozero]

"controls to enhance a group's privacy during chats"

Yup. If there is one thing Facebook has shown utmost honesty and respect for, its user privacy.

 

[Keane16]

After using Telegram for several years it is like stepping back in time

Same, big fan of Telegram, especially the desktop apps. But not all messages are end to end encrypted as far as I know (only the secret chats).

Looks like a lot of these new additions to Whatsapp are playing catchup to stuff Telegram has had for a while.

it is astonishing to me that it is as popular as it is. Even more so with Zuckerberg snooping.

It was the first big mover. Gained a lot of traction. And worked on almost every device. Even the old Nokia S40. So I can see why it's popular. One of those things that easily becomes entrenched.

Even more so with Zuckerberg snooping.

Aren't the messages end to end encrypted like iMessage? So not even Whatsapp themselves can see the contents? I'm pretty sure that's what Zuckerberg confirmed during his testimony.

 

[floling]

what i'd really wanted would be a seperation between group and normal chats.. and who needs the big photo-function right in the middle of the icons??? everything else is just like the way it is. what i really miss on iMessages is to archive messages .. or at least folder them ...