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Tag: WhatsApp

  • How Telegram’s new replace is making messages personal

    The cloud-based immediate messaging software program and software service Telegram is updating its messaging service that may present an auto-delete choice to all messages, expiring invitations, and extra to all of its customers. The immediate messaging software shared details about the replace by way of its official weblog put up. Of late, Telegram obtained an eruption of latest customers within the disarray over WhatsApp’s privateness coverage and now the group is adopting new options that have been at that time a part of its rivalry functions, options which supply better safety. Auto-deleting messages have been already a characteristic of Telegram that was out there in it is encoded Secret Chats, nevertheless this new replace for iOS and Android provides the choice to trigger messages to fade in any type of chat. Auto-erase possibility will be empowered inside the chats, and will be set to delete both 24 hours or seven days after messages are despatched. This new characteristic is not going to get rid of every message, nevertheless; within the occasion {that a} message was despatched earlier than the choice was turned on, it will keep. Telegram’s rivals have had comparable options: WhatsApp offered a component in 2020 and Signal has had vanishing messages since 2016. The firm is moreover making adjustments to the teams which will contemplate the type of fast, helpful audio experiences which have gotten well-known on Clubhouse. The new ‘Broadcast Groups’ think about a limitless variety of people, nevertheless, restrict creating posts on group admins to allow them to, certainly, broadcast. Voice conversations by way of audio notes then again once more can be out there to each person in a broadcast group, and Telegram figures the characteristic must be very best for huge networks, the place people can observe and catch selective conferences, information, or just easygoing chats. Numerous customers prevented WhatsApp for Telegram with regard to a priority that Facebook would peruse their messages. The new characteristic replace by Telegram like auto-delete seems to be an honest path for the corporate to handle these considerations. Yet, even with new safety alternate options, Telegram truly does not throughout supply a characteristic quite a few customers count on that is- begin to end encryption. All messages on Telegram are technically encrypted, however Secret Chats are the one ones which are solely viewable on the gadgets of the folks collaborating. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a sound e mail * Thank you for subscribing to our publication.

  • Chennai municipal physique to make use of WhatsApp to deal with grievances

    The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has launched a devoted WhatsApp Communication system to assist residents elevate queries and grievances on day by day actions, this makes it the primary municipal physique in India to take action. In order to entry the providers, individuals can merely ship a ‘Hi’ to GCC’s official WhatsApp account on +91-94999 33644, to boost issues and search options. The WhatsApp Communication system is presently accessible in English and Tamil languages. With this WhatsApp Communication system integration, GCC goals to facilitate immediate and efficient communication between the administration and the general public. This WhatsApp-based automated grievance registration system may even make it potential for residents to trace the progress of registered grievances in real-time. It may even pave the way in which for the circulation of knowledge on vital bulletins, updates, periodic occasions, helplines, and so forth. At an acceptable time, the service may even embrace crucial data on vaccine rollout modalities in Chennai for beneficiaries. Commenting on this initiative, Mr. G. Prakash IAS., Commissioner, Greater Chennai Corporation stated, “We wish to all the time be on the forefront of all technological developments and supply a seamless communication system to our residents. Given the ever present nature of the WhatsApp platform, exchanging data with residents has change into extraordinarily handy and fast. We will proceed to construct such initiatives to serve our residents extra effectively and thank WhatsApp for his or her help in activating this revolutionary citizen centric providers”. Mr. Shivnath Thukral, Public Policy Director, WhatsApp India said, “Our association with GCC reflects our vision to help promote and build a more connected and aware, Digital India. The pandemic has shown our reliance on digital tools and leveraging technology for governance has become even more critical. We are delighted to be a part of this initiative and are humbled that our platform can bring value to the country.” The GCC may even make the most of the WhatsApp Communication system to offer extra citizen-centric providers such because the creation of delivery and demise certificates, well timed reminders on tax fee, and electoral providers. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a sound e-mail * Thank you for subscribing to our e-newsletter.

  • New tips for social media intermediaries: Rules set for roll-out, issues come up over lack of session

    Even because the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is gearing as much as roll out the ultimate model of the brand new guidelines and tips for social media intermediaries, stakeholders, together with web corporations and public coverage teams, have raised issues concerning the lack of session on some adjustments more likely to be launched, sources near the event mentioned.
    The IT Ministry is learnt to have delayed the announcement of recent guidelines and tips for social media intermediaries from final week to this week, after stakeholders raised issues on not being consulted on adjustments being made to key features similar to chopping down the response time to 36 hours from 72 presently, and imposing “traceability”. “They had not consulted anyone last week. I think they have now. Last week…were supposed to notify it but now it will be by Thursday. Two major issues were raised,” a supply mentioned.
    The IT Ministry is seeking to make adjustments to sure Sections to the IT Act to make social media intermediaries, similar to Facebook and Twitter, and over-the-top (OTT) platforms, similar to Netflix and Amazon’s Prime Video, extra accountable for the content material shared via their platforms. On February 12, IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had informed Rajya Sabha that the federal government was working to convey new guidelines to make social media intermediaries extra attentive to the federal government’s instructions in addition to its regulation enforcement businesses.
    Though the Ministry was prepared with the plan, a few of the adjustments, similar to forcing corporations to make sure traceability of sure messages with out having the ability to ‘claim the shield of end-to-end encryption’ in addition to the discount of response time to 36 hours was a “bit too extreme”, the stakeholders informed senior officers from the IT Ministry in addition to different departments. “So the Twitter issue is one of the major triggers that heated up everything and the Ministry wanted to plug all loopholes. But some of the measures that they had put in the final rules and regulations have been flagged as extreme. For example, some companies said that they already have to have very large teams just to monitor and flag content which was inappropriate despite engaging third party services. Seventy-two hours as such is short notice itself, but cutting it further down to half would be very problematic,” one of many stakeholders who attended the assembly mentioned.

    ExplainedSeeking legal responsibilityThe IT Ministry is seeking to make adjustments to sure Sections to the IT Act to make social media intermediaries, similar to Facebook and Twitter, and over-the-top platforms, like Netflix and Amazon’s Prime Video, extra accountable for content material shared by way of their platforms.

    Another key change is to amend Section 79 of the IT Act to make on-line corporations “proactively trace, detect and prevent” illegal content material from being shared on their platforms.
    “The traceability requirement will break encryption and will affect the right to privacy of citizens and their ability to secure their communications. This provision is a violation of informational privacy, which has been recognized as a fundamental right by the Supreme Court,” mentioned Prasanth Sugathan, authorized director, Software Freedom Law Centre, India.

    Though stakeholders haven’t raised issues about this modification, they’ve requested the federal government to contemplate not inserting any penal provisions right here, sources mentioned.
    “It was always an eventuality that was going to happen. Because the service providers rather than proactively doing stuff, they chose mute spectator role. Nothing stopped them from proactively taking action. They all wanted to take the benefit of the Indian market and do the least in terms of compliance,” mentioned Pavan Duggal, cybersecurity regulation skilled and senior Supreme Court advocate.

  • WhatsApp’s new privateness coverage: What occurs when you don’t settle for after May 15?

    The new WhatsApp privateness coverage has confronted criticism from customers, rivals in addition to the Indian authorities. However, WhatsApp will go forward with new privateness coverage and it’ll now come into impact from May 15. But occurs if somebody doesn’t settle for the brand new phrases by May 15.
    WhatsApp customers who refuse to simply accept the brand new privateness phrases will nonetheless be capable of use the app for one more 120 days. However, throughout this time, the performance of the messaging software will probably be restricted. “For a short time, you’ll be able to receive calls and notifications, but won’t be able to read or send messages from the app,” the official WhatsApp FAQ web page states.
    WhatsApp to delete accounts that don’t comply with phrases inside subsequent 120 days
    If customers nonetheless don’t settle for the brand new privateness phrases by the tip of the 120 days after May 15, WhatsApp will delete that consumer account. These accounts will lose all their WhatsApp chats and teams. If you wish to use WhatsApp with the identical telephone quantity after that, you’ll have to create a recent account and begin from scratch, however that too would require you to first settle for the brand new privateness phrases.

    WhatsApp continues to clear the air on privacy-related confusions
    Since WhatsApp acquired main backlash after revealing its new privateness coverage, the Facebook-owned service has been taking many efforts to clear the air on what the brand new privateness coverage really modifications. To obtain this, WhatsApp has to this point used its personal standing updates web page, made quite a lot of public clarifications and now can be set to show a brand new banner within the app.

    Through all these strategies, the app is assuring customers that their chats will stay non-public and encrypted put up the brand new privateness phrases and that corporations having access to your chats with enterprise accounts is “entirely optional.”
    “We’ve reflected on what we could have done better here. We want everyone to know our history of defending end-to-end encryption and trust we’re committed to protecting people’s privacy and security,” the app mentioned in a weblog put up earlier this month.

  • WhatsApp: How to make use of two completely different accounts on one cellphone

    WhatsApp continues to be utilized by a lot of folks in India and is a go-to app for messaging and video or voice calls. There are individuals who wish to use two completely different WhatsApp accounts on one cellphone, however are unable to do this. Those who’ve a twin SIM cellphone should select one quantity to make use of WhatsApp as there isn’t a choice to have a WhatsApp account with two cellphone numbers.
    If customers attempt to ceaselessly change their WhatsApp account between completely different gadgets, then their cell quantity could also be blocked from re-verifying the account. So, in case you can’t repeatedly change between completely different gadgets and numbers, how will you use two completely different WhatsApp accounts on a single cellphone?
    There is a simple method to make use of twin WhatsApp apps on a tool and for this, you simply have to observe a number of easy steps. These days, loads of telephones supply a parallel app function, which may create a reproduction app of the one you need. Every smartphone from completely different manufacturers has the identical function, however with a special title. Read on to know extra about this.

    Smartphones that supply parallel app-like function
    Samsung telephones: Dual MessengerXiaomi: Dual AppsRealme: Clone AppsOnePlus: Parallel AppsOppo: Clone AppsVivo: App CloneAsus: Twin Apps
    If you’re utilizing a cellphone from one among these manufacturers then you can see the duplicate app function within the talked about title as every firm has a special label for a similar function. Using this function, you may create a reproduction app of any supported-apps after which use them with completely different accounts on the identical cellphone. Now, let’s check out how one can allow it.

    How to make use of twin WhatsApp apps on one cellphone?
    Step 1: Go to the settings part of your cellphone.
    Step 2: As we’re utilizing a OnePlus cellphone, we typed “Parallel Apps” within the search bar.
    Step 3: Once you discover the function within the settings, faucet on it after which your machine will show apps that help the parallel app function.
    Step 4: Tap on on WhatsApp after which a reproduction WhatsApp will probably be created in your cellphone. You can then check in or enroll.

  • WhatsApp to supply extra information on privateness coverage replace by way of banner

    Image Source : WHATSAPP WhatsApp to supply extra information on privateness coverage replace by way of banner
    WhatsApp will show a banner on the app offering customers with extra info on privateness coverage and phrases of use replace that has drawn large criticism over issues on information sharing with mother or father Facebook. The contentious coverage — whose rollout date was pushed to May 15 from February 8 — nonetheless, stays unchanged.

    In a blogpost on Friday, WhatsApp stated it is going to show a banner within the app within the coming weeks “providing more information that people can read at their own pace”. 

    “We’ve also included more information to try and address concerns we’re hearing. Eventually, we’ll start reminding people to review and accept these updates to keep using WhatsApp,” the Facebook-owned firm stated.

    WhatsApp, in an e-mailed response, stated the brand new in-app notification seems totally different from the one customers noticed in January and that has been redesigned primarily based on suggestions from customers.

    “…but the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy remain the same. As a reminder, this update does not change the privacy of people’s personal conversations and does not expand our ability to share data with Facebook,” WhatsApp stated.

    A raging debate erupted final month after WhatsApp stated it is going to replace its phrases of service and privateness coverage round the way it processes person information and companions with Facebook to supply integrations throughout the social media large’s merchandise.

    The Indian authorities had requested WhatsApp to withdraw the modifications, saying unilateral modifications are unfair and unacceptable, and that not giving customers an choice to opt-out raised “grave concerns regarding the implications for the choice and autonomy of Indian citizens”. 

    It had additionally questioned why Indian customers are being subjected to differential therapy when in comparison with their European counterparts the place the modifications don’t apply.

    After the general public outcry, WhatsApp had determined to delay the rollout of its new coverage replace to May 15.

    “After May 15, people who haven’t accepted the privacy policy can still receive calls and get notifications, but they’ll need to agree to the update to send messages,” WhatsApp stated.

    It added that in accordance with its insurance policies, person accounts will stay energetic to permit them to just accept the brand new phrases of service and updates.

    Issues starting from provocative and inflammatory content material to misinformation to information breaches have positioned social media corporations together with Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter on the road of fireplace over the previous many months.

    The authorities has confronted these corporations on a number of events and asserted that they should adjust to the foundations of the land and crackdown on misuse of their platforms.

    Intermediary tips — which apply to digital platforms like Facebook and Twitter — are in ultimate phases and are anticipated to be introduced quickly. These guidelines goal to curb misuse of social media and lift the accountability of digital platforms to customers and Indian regulation.

    WhatsApp has about 2 billion customers globally, with India — its largest market — having over 400 million customers.  

    In its blogpost, WhatsApp stated it had beforehand encountered a substantial amount of “misinformation” about its coverage replace and that it continues to work on clearing up confusion. 

    “We’ll be doing much more to make our voice clear going forward,” it stated, including that it had used the ‘Status’ function to share info across the replace. 

    “As a reminder, we’re building new ways to chat or shop with a business on WhatsApp that are entirely optional. Personal messages will always be end-to-end encrypted, so WhatsApp can’t read or listen to them,” it famous.

    WhatsApp additionally highlighted that providers to customers on the platform stay free and it fees companies to offer customer support on its platform. 

    It stated some buying options contain Facebook, so that companies can handle their stock throughout apps and that it’ll show extra info instantly in WhatsApp so folks can select in the event that they need to interact with companies or not.

    Concerned concerning the privateness of their information, many customers are thronging to rival messaging platforms equivalent to Signal and Telegram, pushing the downloads of those apps into thousands and thousands.

    WhatsApp sought to minimize the development. 

    “During this time, we understand some people may check out other apps to see what they have to offer. We’ve seen some of our competitors try to get away with claiming they can’t see people’s messages – if an app doesn’t offer end-to-end encryption by default that means they can read your messages,” it stated.

    Without naming any rival, WhatsApp stated “people are looking for apps to be both reliable and safe, even if that requires WhatsApp having some limited data”. 

    “We strive to be thoughtful on the decisions we make and we’ll continue to develop new ways of meeting these responsibilities with less information, not more,” it added.

    Also Read: ‘People worth privateness greater than cash’: Supreme Court points discover to FB, WhatsApp on new coverage
    Latest India News

  • WhatsApp to begin exhibiting banner with extra data of privateness replace

    To battle the misinformation and confusion over its new privateness insurance policies, WhatsApp will within the coming weeks begin displaying a banner that may lead customers to extra data and attempt to handle their considerations. WhatsApp’s new privateness coverage has been met with severe pushback, particularly in India the place even some court docket instances have been filed in opposition to the messaging service.
    “We’ve reflected on what we could have done better here. We want everyone to know our history of defending end-to-end encryption and trust we’re committed to protecting people’s privacy and security. We’re now using our Status feature to share our values and updates directly within WhatsApp. We’ll be doing much more to make our voice clear going forward,” a WhatsApp blogpost says introducing the brand new banner choice.
    The weblog says the banner could have data to “try and address concerns we’re hearing”. But can even begin “reminding people to review and accept these updates to keep using WhatsApp” — customers have to just accept by May 15. The put up additionally underlined that the enterprise on WhatsApp options, the place firms may see your conversations with enterprise handles or share them with third-parties, are “entirely optional”.

    “Personal messages will always be end-to-end encrypted, so WhatsApp can’t read or listen to them,” the weblog reiterates.
    WhatsApp will proceed to spotlight that its privateness coverage change doesn’t influence customers’ non-public chat. (Image through WhatsApp)
    Explaining its enterprise mannequin, the weblog says WhatsApp will “charge businesses to provide customer service on WhatsApp – not people”. It clarifies that “some shopping features involve Facebook so that businesses can manage their inventory across apps” and extra data can be proven on WhatsApp “so people can choose if they want to engage with businesses, or not”.

  • WhatsApp, Signal: How to ship Valentine’s Day stickers to your beloved

    Earlier this 12 months, WhatsApp obtained fairly a backlash because of its new privateness coverage and a lot of folks migrated to totally different non-public messaging apps. There are nonetheless lots of people who’re utilizing this messaging app to speak with family and friends. ‘Stickers’ is likely one of the most used options of WhatsApp to specific emotions and ship greetings to close and pricey ones.
    So, in case you are planning to ship Valentine’s Day needs to your beloved utilizing WhatsApp Stickers and questioning easy methods to obtain and ship, simply observe the under written steps. Those who’re utilizing Signal messaging app can even discover the steps under on how one can ship Valentine’s Day animated or common stickers.
    WhatsApp: How to ship Valentine’s Day stickers to your family members

    Step 1: Open Play Store and sort ‘Valentine’s Day WhatsApp stickers’ on the search bar. You will get a lot of apps providing Valentine’s Day stickers. Just choose one of many apps from the listing and set up in your cellphone. We downloaded “Valentine Stickers for WhatsApp (wAStickersApps)’ app.
    Step 2: Open this app and faucet on Stickers.
    Step 3: Open any Sticker pack by tapping on the stickers. In order so as to add one of many sticker packs to WhatsApp, you should faucet on the ‘+’ icon.
    Step 4: Tap once more on ‘Add’ button and the Sticker pack will probably be added to WhatsApp. You will then discover the sticker packs in WhatsApp’s stickers part.

    Signal: How to ship Valentine’s Day stickers
    Step 1: Just sort Signal Stickers on Google and faucet on SignalStickers.com web site. Here, you’ll get a variety of animated or common sticker packs for Signal.
    Step 2: Now, all you should do is sort love or Valentine’s Day on the search bar and the positioning will present animated and common stickers packs associated to that.
    Step 3: Select anybody Sticker by tapping on it and the positioning will show the stickers which are out there in that individual pack.
    Step 4: To add new Stickers to Signal, simply faucet on ‘Add to Signal’ button.
    Step 5: Tap once more on ‘Set To Always Open’ after which click on on ‘Install’ button. All the stickers will then be added to the Stickers part in Signal.

  • WhatsApp multi-device function noticed on iOS: All it’s essential know

    WhatsApp is quickly anticipated so as to add multi-device help. The function has already been noticed on the Android model and now it has made an look on the iOS beta model too. In case you’re unaware, the multi-device help signifies that a consumer will be capable of use a single WhatsApp account on 4 units concurrently. Currently, you’re restricted to only one gadget for one WhatsApp account.
    WaBetaInfo has posted a video displaying how iOS customers will be capable of unlink any gadget from the primary WhatsApp account. For this, customers will get a logout choice, which will likely be current in Settings > Account tab. The beta model at present means that the ‘Delete My Account’ choice will likely be changed with ‘Log Out.’ Though, there’s a chance that the logout choice will likely be accessible within the Linked Devices part within the ultimate construct.

    If you’re an iOS beta tester, then you possibly can do that function in 2.21.30.16 beta replace. The cited supply says that WhatsApp Web customers will quickly be capable of use the messaging app even when their main cellphone just isn’t linked to the web and is switched off. Currently, in case you are utilizing WhatsApp Web in your laptop computer or desktop, you require your cellphone to be linked to the web.

    Once the multi-device function is rolled out, WhatsApp customers will be capable of run the app independently on 4 completely different units. WaBetaInfo reported that “this limit might change in future and this type doesn’t require an active Internet connection on the main phone as well.” As of now, there isn’t a phrase on when the multi-device function will roll out with an upcoming date. But, the corporate is quickly anticipated to launch it.

  • WhatsApp beta replace reveals new ‘mention badge’ characteristic

    WhatsApp beta updates are identified to trace at most of the app’s options forward of them going dwell within the secure model. Now, a brand new WhatsApp characteristic that has been noticed within the app’s newest Beta model is a devoted badge for customers that may make it simpler to determine when you could have been talked about in group chats. According to a report by WABetaInformation, a brand new point out badge will characteristic alongside the pin message choice within the newest beta, numbered v2.21.3.13.
    “After several updates that addressed bug fixes and general improvements, WhatsApp has released today the 2.21.3.13 beta update. It has nothing new apparently, but we can show today a preview of the feature they’re working on in this build: the mention badge! The feature is very simple to explain: when you receive a mention in a group, a new badge will be added in the group cell,” says the report.

    What will the point out badge characteristic do?
    The WhatsApp point out badge characteristic will let customers know once they have been tagged in group chats. The characteristic ought to make it simpler to establish when you could have been tagged in teams. This shall be helpful when there are a number of teams as customers will be capable to see if they’ve been talked about among the many many unread messages. Currently, below growth, the characteristic may quickly be rolled out in a future replace.
    WhatsApp has additionally added a brand new sticker pack within the beta replace known as Taters and tots, for Android customers. Other latest characteristic additions additionally embrace face or fingerprint-based unlocking for WhatsApp Web, which permits extra safety when logging in with WhatsApp Web. Moreover, each time somebody tries to log in to your WhatsApp Web account with out offering the required credentials, you can be notified in your primary gadget.