The popular messenger WhatsApp has officially announced the launch of a long-awaited feature called "guest calls." This innovation radically changes the approach to communication within the service, allowing users to invite people who do not have an account in the application to audio and video conversations. The new option is designed to simplify business and personal communication, removing barriers for those who, for various reasons, do not want or cannot install the messenger on their device.
How the Guest Mode Works in WhatsApp
Only a registered user of the messenger can create a special link for communication through the "Calls" tab. The connection process for third parties is extremely simplified: invited participants can simply open the received link in a web browser on a personal computer or mobile device, enter their name, and immediately join the secure conversation. At the same time, the developers emphasize that all guest sessions support free individual and group calls with end-to-end encryption without any time limits.
Features and Security of Group Sessions
The new functionality supports large-scale group sessions, allowing up to 32 people to join a single call simultaneously. During the conversation, unregistered guests get access to a wide range of interactive tools, including screen sharing, emoji reactions, and the "raised hand" feature. The development team paid special attention to security issues: all invitees initially enter a virtual waiting room and can only enter the conversation after the organizer approves their request.
Privacy and Restrictions for Guests
To ensure the maximum level of privacy, the creators have provided a number of strict restrictions. Third-party call participants cannot see each other's phone numbers, send text messages to the chat, or independently invite new people to the conversation. This completely eliminates the risks of spam, unauthorized access, or leakage of personal data of participants, making the tool safe for both friendly calls and corporate conferences.
Calendar Integration Plans and Prospects
As the next stage of service development, developers announced upcoming integration with popular calendar platforms, including Google Calendar and Microsoft Outlook. A special plugin will allow users to automatically create and add WhatsApp call links directly when planning events. According to the creators' intention, this will allow seamlessly organizing meetings and sending invitations without the need to manually copy links into the messenger.
