The popular Meta-owned messaging platform WhatsApp has made headlines several times in the last few months by introducing new and highly demanded features in its Beta builds.

The company recently confirmed that many new features like increased file sharing size, emoji reactions, and the ability to hide your last seen from specific contacts will soon be made available in the live build of the app.

Now, reports have emerged that WhatsApp has started rolling out a new update to the iOS version which includes support for 32-person calls, an overhauled call user interface, waveforms, and other improvements. The update is coming to the live build of WhatsApp on iOS.

Till now, WhatsApp has allowed users to make group phone calls with multiple persons at the same time. A group voice conversation previously could accommodate up to eight people, but WhatsApp is now rolling out a new update that enables up to 32 participants.

Voice calls with up to 32 people would be possible in WhatsApp Groups. The platform has also modified the way participants are displayed on the screen to fit the additional members. Waveform images are used to label different WhatsApp users.

This new feature comes with the update version 22.8.80 and is sized at 109.7MB for iPhones. Android users are also expected to soon get a similar update with these new features, however, it will not be available on the desktop client.

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The post New WhatsApp update will let you add up to 32 participants on a call appeared first on Gizmochina.

Right from the day WhatsApp announced its changes in Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, it has been facing a lot of backlash. Users on Social media have been expressing their disapproval and some are even recommending alternatives. As a result, rivals like Telegram and Signal have witnessed millions of downloads recently. To end this, WhatsApp has now given an explanation and postponed the cut-off date.

WhatsApp tweeted that it’s working constantly to counter the confusion on the privacy of users’ messages and Account suspension. Through a blog post, it has now announced the extension of the cut-off date to May 15, 2021. Also, WhatsApp clearly says that it won’t delete anyone’s account on February 8 which was earlier the last date for users to accept the new update changes.

Speaking of which, in case you are unaware, WhatsApp recently updated its privacy policy and terms of service. Accordingly, it added new sections about business chats and sharing of data with other Facebook companies.

However, People started spreading the news that WhatsApp gets access to Private messages and locations. To this, WhatsApp now says that they are protected by end-to-end encryption and neither Facebook/WhatsApp can access it.

Thank you to everyone who’s reached out. We're still working to counter any confusion by communicating directly with @WhatsApp users. No one will have their account suspended or deleted on Feb 8 and we’ll be moving back our business plans until after May – https://t.co/H3DeSS0QfO

— WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) January 15, 2021

EDITOR’S PICK: Facebook under antitrust probe in Turkey over updated WhatsApp terms

Through the blog post, WhatsApp also says that it will continue to follow the things that it did before as shown below:

• No access to users’ private messages by WhatsApp/Facebook
• WhatsApp doesn’t store logs of Messages/call info.
• WhatsApp/Facebook can’t see your Shared Location.
• WhatsApp doesn’t share your contacts with Facebook.
• WhatsApp Groups are Private.
• You can make your messages disappear(via Disappearing Messages)
• Locally Download your data anytime.

That said, WhatsApp still stands by the update changes regarding Businesses, Payments, and concurrently Facebook’s help. Precisely, some businesses that use Facebook’s hosting services might run on WhatsApp too. WhatsApp will label them separately so you can make your choice as to whether chat with them/not.

It further mentions clauses about Discovering businesses from Facebook/Instagram Ads and using their shopping experiences on WhatsApp. Simply put, the update excludes sharing info like personal messages, contacts & location to Facebook.

Nevertheless, WhatsApp is now moving back the date for accepting the terms. During this period, we can expect more explanation about privacy in future before the business options go live on May 15.

UP NEXT: WhatsApp faces first legal complaint in India over its recent Privacy policy changes

The post WhatsApp postpones new Privacy Policy cut-off date to May 15; Explains the changes in Detail appeared first on Gizmochina.