WhatsApp rolls out new group calls, privacy features – Times of India

WhatsApp recently updated the messaging platform with a feature that allows users to add up to 32 participants in a group call. Moreover, the Meta-owned instant messaging service also recently increased the number of participants that can be added to a group. Previously, it was 256, however, now users can add up to 512 members in a single WhatsApp group. These new features will enhance the group messaging/calling experience. WhatsApp has now added some new features that will offer users more control over group call members. WhatsApp has updated its group calls feature with a new tool that allows users to mute or message specific people during a group call.
William Cathcart, Head of WhatsApp at Meta, shared a tweet through his official Twitter account to announce this new group call feature. Apart from the latest group call feature, the company has also announced new privacy features for the messaging platform.

Availability of these new features
According to a report by AndroidCentral, these new WhatsApp features have already started rolling out for iOS and Android users. As these new features might see an incremental rollout, WhatsApp users will soon be able to enable these new tools on their respective accounts. However, users will need to download and install the latest version of the messaging app to get these new features.
How to use the new group call feature
Another report from WABetaInfo suggests that users can easily mute others on WhatsApp during calls. Users have to choose the respective individual in an ongoing call and they will get the option to either mute the participant or send a message on their private chat.
Importance of the new group call feature
Cathcart in his tweet has mentioned that group call participants will now see a new banner during the calls. This new indicator will notify users when a person joins the call offscreen. As per the company, this new feature will come in handy during large meetings. Moreover, the ability to mute other participants in a group call can be useful especially, when the participants forget to mute themselves. According to the WABetaInfo report, the option to mute others on a call is not just restricted to the user who has started the call, as other participants will also be able to mute anyone in the call.
New privacy feature for WhatsApp users
Apart from these group call features, WhatsApp is also getting some new privacy features that will allow users to choose who can view their personal info. Users will be able to select individuals from their contacts list who will be allowed or blocked to see private information that includes — profile photo, about section and last seen status. As per the company, this feature will be convenient for users who are trying to hide from businesses, banking accounts, or even other annoying WhatsApp users.

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