The popular messaging platform, WhatsApp, is launching a new group chat feature that allows existing members of a group to share up to 100 messages from the past 14 days with new members.
To access this feature, an individual already part of a group chat, will be required to add someone new.
The leading source for WhatsApp updates in real-time, WABetaInfo, revealed that Meta launched a beta build of WhatsApp on TestFlight which provides users with an option to share group chat history with a new member.
It further stated that new members would be able to distinguish between old and new messages since the messages shared are highlighted in a different color.
It is important to note that this feature is already accessible in many other messaging platforms.
WhatsApp group chat history
According to the source, WhatsApp will also allow users to choose a smaller number of messages if they do not want to share all previous messages.
The platform further stated that the feature ensures transparency among all users of the app. The process utilizes the messages and encryption key on the device of the user who added the new participant.
End-to-end encryption protects recent messages that are delivered to the new member.
The new feature was only available in the beta version of the app previously. Now, it can be accessed by users who wish to test the latest beta version for iOS update which is also available in the TestFlight app.
WhatsApp also clarified that the new group chat history feature is not enabled by default, making sure all accessibility rests in the hands of the user.
Group chat history can be shared by beta testers with users who lack access to the new feature, which means background configuration is already set in place.
