WhatsApp is giving users more control over who can add them into group chats in a bid to prevent unwanted invitations.
Until today, group chats on the messaging app could become a nuisance for some, as anyone could be added into conversations without their permission simply by adding their phone number.
The Facebook-owned platform is rolling out an update to the privacy of WhatsApp, which allows users to decide who they want to receive group chat invites from.
People can choose to only allow contacts already in their address book to add them to group chats, or they can opt to select “Nobody”, which will require them to approve any group invites before they are added into them.
Anyone wanting to add another person into a group chat will be prompted to send a private invite through an individual chat, giving users the choice of joining the group. They will have three days to accept the invite before it expires.
There is also an option to allow permitting group invites from anyone as before.
“As people turn to groups for important conversations, users have asked for more control over their experience,” the company said. “With these new features, users will have more control over the group messages they receive.”
Users can expect to see the new option in the account section of their settings, under privacy and groups from today. It will be rolled out worldwide within the coming weeks, WhatsApp said.
