WhatsApp now allows voice messages and polls in the channel – 01/17/2024 – Tech

WhatsApp has increased options for people who manage channels, according to an announcement this Wednesday (17). The tool allows one-way sending to thousands of users. A Sheetfor example, maintain four channels in the messaging app.

Owners of these massive message distribution spaces can now send audios, polls and elect up to 16 administrators. The update is available to all users starting this Wednesday.

Meta —owner of WhatsApp— postponed the debut of this feature in Brazil, after the Federal Public Ministry recommended, during the 2022 elections, that the company wait until the following year for the launch. The measure aimed to prevent misinformation in the electoral context.

The adjustments to the channels reach the public on the eve of a new election period in the country.

On channels, creators can now distribute links, texts, images and videos to an unlimited number of participants. The feature competes with a similar tool from Telegram.

New features include:

1. Voice messages
2. Polls
3. Share cards in status (a tool similar to Instagram stories) — to do this, simply press and hold an update that you find interesting, select ‘forward’ and then the ‘my status’ option

Meta has also launched a “Multiple Admins” option so channels can have up to 16 admins to help manage updates.

The Channel owner can invite any of their contacts or followers to become administrators. Once the invitation is accepted, the new admin will be able to manage the channel information and create, edit, and delete any updates.

Only owners of a channel are allowed to delete it.