WhatsApp is reportedly testing three new features on its beta release channel: chat lock, status sharing to Facebook, and voice transcription. The chat lock feature on iOS allows users to lock specific chats for additional privacy, and authentication using Face ID or Touch ID is required to open locked chats. Once a chat is locked, sender names and message previews are hidden, and images and videos are not automatically saved to the phone’s Photos library. This feature is available on version 23.9.0.71 of WhatsApp beta for iOS.
WhatsApp is deepening its integration with Facebook by allowing users to share their WhatsApp Status with their Facebook friends directly from WhatsApp for Android. This integration will allow users to opt-in to share their Status, which is disabled by default. The feature is available on version 2.23.9.22 of WhatsApp beta for Android.
The voice transcription feature on iOS uses language packs to transcribe voice notes while preserving end-to-end encryption for all media attachments. The feature is done on-device and not on WhatsApp’s servers, which means that voice notes will continue to remain protected by end-to-end encryption like messages and other attachments. The feature is available on version 23.9.0.70 of WhatsApp beta for iOS and requires iOS 16 to function. Language packs can be downloaded to enable transcription in different languages, and the text from voice note transcriptions is also indexed and can be searched.
The chat lock and voice transcription features are expected to provide additional privacy and convenience to WhatsApp users. The voice transcription feature can be particularly useful during situations where reading a voice note might be easier than listening to it, while the chat lock feature can prevent unauthorized access to private conversations. Meanwhile, the status sharing to Facebook feature can allow users to share their WhatsApp Status with their Facebook friends without leaving the app, providing a more seamless social media experience.
Overall, these features demonstrate WhatsApp’s commitment to continuously improving its messaging platform and provide more value to its users. While these features are still in beta testing, it is expected that they will be rolled out to all users once they have been thoroughly tested and refined.
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