WhatsApp lets users control who gets to add them to chat groups
Thursday, 07 Nov 20192:10 PM MYT
By Angelin Yeoh
image: https://apicms.thestar.com.my/uploads/images/2019/11/07/372056.jpg
Say goodbye to admins adding you into unwanted group chats with the new settings feature. — WhatsApp
WhatsApp announced that it will begin rolling out new privacy settings which allow users more control over who gets to add them into group chats.
This particular feature will be useful to users who want to avoid getting added into unwanted group chats where in some cases, the group admin is peddling dubious financial schemes offering personal loans or property deals, among others. Users can also use this feature to avoid being a part of groups created to spread explicit content.
For users who want to activate the function, go to Settings, tap Account > Privacy > Groups. Under "Who can add me to groups", choose one of the three available options namely: "Everyone", "My contacts" and "My contacts except...".
"My contacts" means only contacts in the user's address book can add the user to group, while "My contacts except..." lets users select who among their own contacts is allowed to add them into group chats. Those who don't want to be added into groups at all can avoid the hassle of manually selecting a contact one by one with the "Select All" button on the top right corner of the screen.
For admins who can't add specific users into groups, they will be prompted to send a private invite through an individual chat. Users with the private invite have three days to accept the invitation before it expires.
WhatsApp introduced this feature in back in April where it was rolled out to users in India first. In a blog posting, the company said during the initial rollout phase, users were given the option of "Nobody" instead of "My contacts except...". However it decided to change the option based on users feedback during the initial rollout.
The new group chat privacy setting will be available to users worldwide with the latest version of WhatsApp.
TOPIC:
Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/tech/tech-news/2019/11/07/whatsapp-lets-users-control-who-gets-to-add-them-to-chat-groups#qXjWVys8ttHbo3iC.99
.jpg)
