No More Adding People To Groups Without Permission: WhatsApp Releases New Privacy Settings To Combat Fake News

Through its new update, WhatsApp is introducing a new privacy setting to help users decide who can add them to groups on the messaging app, reports The Economic Times.

Previously, WhatsApp users could be added to a group without their consent. The Indian government constantly pushed the messaging giant to ensure that the consent of the users is sought before adding them to groups.

The move is particularly important to cut down the scope for spreading fake news and rumours and to avoid flash mobbing. It also comes at a critical time, considering the upcoming general elections, as the messaging platforms, like others, too are used for political campaigns to have a wider reach to the mass.

Releasing a communique on the development, the Facebook owned company said, "WhatsApp groups continue to connect family, friends, coworkers, classmates and more. As people turn to groups for important conversations, users have asked for more control over their experience,” adding “with these new features, users will have more control over the group messages they receive.”

With the new update, the person inviting the users to a group will have to send a private invite through an individual chat, thus giving them a choice of whether to join or leave. Users will have three days to accept or decline.