WhatsApp announced the launch of a new feature that allows its users to invite people who do not have an account on the app to join voice or video calls via links that can be opened from a computer browser, in a move aimed at facilitating communication with others without the need to download the app or create an account.
The official WhatsApp website stated, in an announcement published on October 14, that the new feature, named 'Guest Calls', allows users to create a call link and share it with people they wish to communicate with, whether for an individual call or a group call comprising up to 32 participants.
The invitee can open the link from a computer browser and enter their name to join the call, but they must wait for the host's approval before entering, as they are transferred to a waiting room that allows the host to determine accepted participants and remove anyone from the call if needed.
The feature provides guests with some tools during the call, such as sharing the computer screen and interacting with emojis and raising a hand to request participation, while they cannot view the phone numbers of other participants, send messages, or add other people directly to the call.
WhatsApp clarified that calls are free and end-to-end encrypted, with no time limits on their duration, noting that creating invitation links is restricted to registered account holders on the app.
The company is also working on adding the ability to create call links directly from 'Google' and 'Outlook' calendars, allowing them to be attached to meeting invitations, with this capability to be launched later this year.
The feature comes as part of WhatsApp's updates aimed at expanding communication options across different devices and facilitating call sharing with people who do not use the app.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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