Every girl has
experienced this scenario. Being part of a group for a social cause or a class related
initiative. Its all very good and then, she wakes up one morning to find her
Whatsapp account now on a group for attractive women. This group has of course
been put up by a young man desperate to meet young women. Or the number is now
part of a political campaign where he or she has no interest in being part of.
Now all that could change thankfully. Whatsapp has decided to take a stand and
announced on Wednesday a new feature which would allow users to decide who can
add them to groups.
This is an instance
of a platform giving its users control over their data something other
platforms like Facebook has been criticised for not providing adequate
information as to what they were exactly doing with all the data that was being
collected everyday.
Akio Fernandes a food
blogger felt it was a very good move by the platform. He said “I think it is
pretty good feature that has now been included. These days people are very
worried about all the data that is in control of platforms like Facebook,
Instagram etc. They have all your information and they can create a total
psychographic profile which can be used by marketers of all kinds. I like this
move by Whatsapp. It is giving some control back to the user”.
For Annalie Gracias a
write this was a move to be welcomed. She said “This new feature is a welcome
addition to protect user’s privacy and also to give each individual the choice
to decide whether or not to join a group. Many a time, one is added into a
group and then spammed with numerous unrelated messages. This feature puts the
ball in each individuals court to decide who can add them into agroup.
For Komal Modi this
feature could not have come at a better time. She said “It makes it so much
safer for us girls. I am a student and I join some group for an activity I am
very interested in and then it all ok. But then without fail someone harvests
these numbers, especially those of girls and sets up another group for
ridiculous activities. I am not interested in going out with them for a movie
or a date but the pressure exerted is ridiculous. Now with the option in my
hand as to whether I want to be part of the group, it is so much safer. It used
to be ridiculous earlier, my number would float in places it should not have
been. I was sick and tired of it all”.
The new feature will
be available to all WhatsApp versions and can be accessed by opening Settings
and then tapping on Account > Privacy > Groups. One is then free to
select one of three options: “Nobody,” “My Contacts,” or “Everyone.”“Nobody”
means you’ll have to approve joining every group to which you’re invited, and
“My Contacts” means only users you have in your address book can add you to
groups
In those cases, the
person inviting you to a group will be prompted to send a private invite
through an individual chat, giving you the choice of joining the group. You’ll
have three days to accept the invite before it expires.WhatsApp believes that
with these new features, users will have more control over the group messages
they receive.The new privacy settings will begin rolling out to some users
starting today and will be available worldwide in the coming weeks to those
using the latest version of WhatsApp.
Perhaps
the final word should go to Archie b a media professional who felt it was a
good move by the company and it would help ensuring random numbers would float
in the digital ether causing problems which could be avoided.
