WhatsApp groups have taken over our smartphones. Or at least it sometimes feels that way, as every circle of friends, occasion and party has its own group — and anyone can add you to any old group.
But this will soon be a thing of the past, as US tech magazine Venturebeat.com has reported. According to the report, WhatsApp will soon be rolling out an update that will allow users to choose who — if anyone — can add them to a group.
In the settings, you will be able to choose between “Everyone,” “My contacts” and “Nobody” who can add you to a WhatsApp group.
If a user wants to add someone to a group who has restricted this option, then they will have to send the person a private message with an invitation to join the group.
The invited user then has three days to decide if they want to join — after that, the invitation link expires. The new feature comes as an increasing number of users have complained about the number of groups they have been added to without their consent.
This includes political groups or parties that want to spread their message to as many people as possible. – dpa
