In the latest update recently, WhatsApp introduced the ability to lock the app behind the user’s fingerprint as an extra security measure. Acoording to the points mentioned in the privacy settings it’s introducing yet another privacy-centric feature which gives WhatsApp users around the world more control over who can and cannot add them to group chats.
The new features allow users to select if everyone, all contacts, or specific contacts can add them to group chats. Initially, in the beginning WhatsApp only had an option for users to say nobody could add them to groups. But after receiving some feedback, they decided to fold the functionality to block everyone into the “My contacts except” option.
The new Privacy Settings for Groups on Whatsapp are as follows:
- WhatsApp groups successfully continue to connect family, friends, coworkers, classmates, and more together. As and when people have turned to groups for important conversations, users have always asked for more control over their experience on the app. Today, whatsapp has introduced a new privacy setting and invite system to help decide who can add you to groups and many more such options.
- In these cases, when an admin can’t add you to a group that will be prompted to send a private invite through an individual chat, giving you the choice of whether one wants to join the group or not. For a user the invite has three days to get accepted before it expires.
- To enable these features, go to Settings in your app, then tap Account > Privacy > Groups and select one of three options: “Everyone,” “My Contacts,” or “My Contacts Except”. Here, “My Contacts” means only the users that you have in your address book, can add you to groups. Also, here “My Contacts Except” provides additional control for the ones who are among your contacts to add you to a group.
- With the help of these new features, users will have more control over the group messages that they receive on the app.
A proper GUIDE to whatsapp group chats:
Since the launch of messaging apps, group chats have revolutionised the way we communicate with friends, family and colleagues.
Seen a funny meme? Share it with the squad. Deciding when to have your next book club meeting? Liaise amongst the group. Need to organise a Mother’s Day present? Discuss it with your siblings.
Whatsapp group chats – for which are nearly always on Whatsapp are the new norm nowadays. If there was no whatsapp, no wonder how you might organise your life and chat to your friends through Facebook. Thanks to Whatsapp now that we do it all on it.
It is no more shocking to here incidents such as these happen where:
- Couple who have mistakenly sent WhatsApp message and met on the app get married.
- In the same situation when you’re in a friendship group, this could lead to a decline in individual conversations due to the rise of the group chat.
- God forbid if you are the person who doesn’t have their phone on them. Because as soon as when the chat kicks off though – good luck ploughing through 132 messages later on.
- As with the rise of all always evolving new technologies, there’s no etiquette guide or rule book. And this can lead to trouble.
- Use group chats incorrectly and you could actually be weakening rather than strengthening your relationships.
Here are some of the do’s and don’ts of group chats, you need to take care of:
Do keep the chat relevant to everyone
- There is nothing worse than two people in the group having a conversation that doesn’t concern everyone else. In Whatsapp groups, before you take the message to the group chat, think about whether what you’re about to say is relevant to the whole group. If it is not that relevant, message that person directly and spare the rest of your mates all the notifications.
- It also sometimes gets more than annoying too – For example if one person in the group can’t make it to a social engagement that the rest of the group is attending, then they may start to feel left out if you discuss it at length in the chat.
- And it is important to remember this especially when you meet up in person before or after the event too.
Do use the group for support
- One of the good things about a group chat is that if you need someone to talk to about almost anything, you could find at least one of your friends who can reply to you straight away.
- So, whether you are looking for a pep talk before a date or some consolation after being rejected from a job application, there are some of your friends that would be able to get back to you instantaneously.
- And another plus point is that if one of your mates is by their phone and able to reply, great! Because group chats are ideal for getting reassurance when you need it most.
Don’t get into in-depth conversations or arguments
- If things do start to get heated, sometimes it’s better to shut the discussion down and decide to talk about it face-to-face.
- Whatsapp is not the place to discuss divisive issues as tone and meaning can be misconstrued over message, misguiding the conversation.
- “Uncertainly if a disagreement starts, then clearly state that you are happy to discuss the issue to the one whom it concerns, but a group chat is not the place to do that” advises Hakim. “It is advisable to then move the dialogue outside of the group chat setting.”
Do bear in mind other people’s lives
- Whilst you might be able to be sneakily on Whatsapp all day while sitting at your desk at work, not all your friends may have this luxury, and it’s important to remember that.
- “A decision might be made in the group chat that affects you and you may not get a say because you don’t have time to check the messages,” Dr. Hakim explains.
- “You may feel that you are less important to the group or that your opinion isn’t needed or considered.”
The tried and tested technique to break your smartphone addiction
- If you haven’t got time to read every message, just send a quick one to explain exactly that.
- This works both ways too – if you feel like you’re always messaging and your friends aren’t replying, you can end up feeling rejected or like they don’t care about you.
- “Realise that due to work and other obligations, not everyone will respond promptly to every ping,” Dr. Hakim suggests.
- “Pick up the phone or text someone privately if you need to hear from them quickly and don’t notice their response in the group chat.”
Read some of our other articles given below:
Whatsapp’s new privacy policy !
