Picture: Neil McCartney
WhatsApp has new updates and minor changes for the iOS (iPhone) and Android versions of its messaging application.
A report by WABetaInfo said WhatsApp beta versions when updated for iOS consist of voice note changes.
Voice notes allow the user to send audio clips to their contacts. WhatsApp has made a user interface (UI) change for this feature, changing the progress bar animation for voice notes when played.
The feature means even if you have the “read” receipts disabled, this won’t apply to voice note messages. The message will be marked as “read” when listened to.
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According to the report, the other notable change for Android users is the wide range of stickers that will now be available.
Stickers allow users to import animated custom sticker packs, as well as their own personalised stickers created using apps such as Sticker Maker.
In January the messaging app calmed fears when it was announced changes to its terms of use and privacy policy. The update suggested it would give Facebook free rein to “snoop” on conversations in order to allow for better-targeted ads on other Facebook-owned platforms.
The company further reiterated that was not changing under the new update.
It said in a statement: “There’s been a lot of misinformation causing concern and we want to help everyone understand our principles and the facts. WhatsApp was built on a simple idea: what you share with your friends and family stays between you.
“This means we will always protect your personal conversations with end-to-end encryption so neither WhatsApp nor Facebook can see these private messages.”
The new update gives people options to message a business on WhatsApp. Users have now been given until 15 May 2021 to accept the new terms and business options.
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