Tech giant, Meta has announced that they have begun rolling out WhatsApp Channels globally. The UAE and KSA are currently a part of the region’s rollout of WhatsApp Channels. WhatsApp users in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will be able to gain access to a new feature on the platform known as “Channels.”
WhatsApp Channel is a one-way broadcasting service, gradually being introduced globally, enabling users in an innovative way to follow their favorite celebrities, leaders, musicians, sports teams, content creators, organizations, and influencers and receive private updates directly on WhatsApp.
Meta, the technology company that owns several social media platforms including Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, made an official announcement via a blog post, revealing that they initially introduced Channels back in June, exclusively in Colombia and Singapore. This initial launch allowed them to fine-tune the feature and adapt it based on user feedback. Now, they are preparing to roll out Channels to more than 150 countries worldwide.
Talking about the new feature, Moon Baz, Creator Partnerships Lead, Africa, Middle East, and Turkey at Meta, said, “Today (September 13) we’re starting to roll out WhatsApp Channels globally and adding thousands of new channels that people can follow in WhatsApp. We’re also welcoming some of your favorite celebrities, sports teams, artists, creators, and thought leaders that people can follow, right within WhatsApp.”
“Following a channel won’t reveal your phone number to the admin or other followers. Who you decide to follow is your choice and it’s private,” Meta said.
The feature will give admins the ability to send text, photos, videos, stickers, and polls. Admins will have significant control of their channels, such as deciding who can follow them or whether the channel appears in the directory. They can also choose to block screenshots and forwards from their channel.
Users may find channels on a new page on WhatsApp called Updates, which is different from their chats with family, friends, and communities. On this tab, users can find their status and the channels they want to follow.
