WhatsApp tests Group Description feature on beta version
WhatsApp is testing a new feature called 'Group Description' on Android and Windows Phone. The feature allows users to add descriptions to their group chats, much like individual status updates. It is currently available on WhatsApp beta version 2.18.54 on Android and WhatsApp beta version 2.18.28 on Windows Phone. It can be expected to come on iOS shortly.
Users can add group descriptions of up to 500 characters
The group description can currently be edited by any member of a group chat. However, WhatsApp is also considering restricting this access to only group admins in the future in a bid to offer a certain level of moderation to huge and formal groups. The maximum limit for group descriptions is 500 characters.
The feature will inform users of a group's purpose
The new feature has been reportedly introduced so that new members can get a brief sense of a group's purpose and activities before joining it. It will offer better context to public groups since they can send out chat invites to all contacts. The placement of the new tab will depend on whether the viewer is part of the group or not.
Here are some other updates WhatsApp is working on
In other updates, WhatsApp is also testing out a 'Demote as Admin' feature that will allow group admins to revoke the admin rights of other fellow admins. The chat app is also reportedly testing Live Location Sharing and a 'Stickers' feature that will allow users to send out customized sticker notifications on Windows Phone.
