WhatsApp adds a new privacy setting for groups


By Pascal Oparada

Social Media/Tech Reporter

In an attempt to clamp down on fake news, WhatsApp today announced another protection for users.

Through the new feature, users can control who has permission to add them to groups. The company said the new feature will limit the spread of fake news, limit abuse and keep people’s phone numbers private.

In addition to this, the app will introduce an invite system for those who enable the additional protections, letting users vet any incoming group invites before deciding to join.

To enable the new protection, users can go to settings then tap account >Privacy>Groups then choose one of the three options regarding who can add you to the group text: “Nobody”, “My Contacts,” or “Everybody.” “Nobody means you will have to approve joining every group to which you are invited.

In case you change the settings to either “Nobody” or “My Contacts,” people inviting you to groups will be instead prompted to send a private invite through an individual chat. That way, you still have the option of joining a group even if the person inviting you isn’t one of your regular WhatsApp contacts. However, the invite will expire in 3 days if you don’t accept.

The privacy setting arrives a day after the Facebook-owned messaging app launched a fact-checking tip line in India, ahead of elections in the country.

Like other social platforms, WhatsApp has played a role in the spread of fake news. In Brazil, for example, the platform was flooded with falsehoods, conspiracy theories, and other misleading propaganda.

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