New Delhi, Apr 29: WhatsApp on Tuesday said it will now allow up to eight people to connect on a group video call as an increasing number of people turn to digital platforms to connect with friends and family amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Facebook-owned company said over the last month, people on average are spending over 15 billion minutes talking each day on WhatsApp calls, well above a typical day before the pandemic.
"...we see that people all over the world are turning to voice and video calling on WhatsApp more than ever before. Group calling has been particularly useful and our users have asked to connect with more people at once," WhatsApp said in a blogpost.
Starting Tuesday, the company is doubling the number of participants one can have on a WhatsApp video or voice call from 4 to 8 people at a time, it added.
WhatsApp emphasised that like written messages, all calls on its platform are protected with end-to-end encryption.
"We have built group calling in a way that makes it available for as many users as possible, including people on lower-end devices and slow network conditions," it added.
Also Read: Coronavirus India update: State-wise total number of confirmed cases, deaths
WhatsApp said that to access the new, higher participant limit on WhatsApp calls, all participants in a call need to update to the latest version of WhatsApp available on iPhone or Android.
Video calling tools like Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Zoom and others have also seen a significant jump in userbase and traffic as people connect while maintaining social distancing amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Last week, Facebook had introduced Messenger Rooms that will soon hold up to 50 people with no time limit.
It had added that the company will also add ways to create rooms from Instagram Direct, WhatsApp and Portal.
Noting that between WhatsApp and Messenger, more than 700 million accounts participate in calls every day, Facebook had said, adding that video calling on Messenger and WhatsApp more than doubled in many countries.
Also, views of Facebook Live and Instagram Live videos have also increased significantly in March, it said.
Comments
Do you know who start the tippu jayanthi dear
This is the fact, a party built on corrupt ideology will not survive. The entire nation will know the truth.
What is their moral value of these guys who killed that person who sacrificed his whole life for the nation. What can we expect from these people. Until the past few years they were agreeing TIPU SULTAN as the best ruler, tiger of Mysore, and the man who taught to resist the invaders.
Just for the personal benefits, the same guys portray him negatively
People of such a mentality should be catalgorized as sick and mentally distorted group who should not be considered fit for election or make any policitical party.
The wise people should boycott such immoral party, Support the fair and the reliable party. If not available go for the least corrupt party.
Eddi is the only CM who spent his life in jail for corruption (not as a freedom fighter)
Think of our future geneations and our children,
God help our country from these corrupt group.
Dear Sandesh
if you want join with bjp policy no objecttion but don't involve Hindu religion. All Hindus are not as you wished.
During BJP govt all these communal leaders including cheddiyurappa was on the dias to celebrated Tipu Jayanthi so now what happen with different colour and tune.
Go with the history i/o rss book.
Jai Hind Jai Karnataka
Why all people blaming BJP. Why this govt cant avoid celebration
BJP leaders are mentally retarded people. Trouble makers
All Hindus should support BJP's decision
BJP openly said they will oppose. If they didnt say anything also they will do the same. They will make trouble as they did previous year
Govt should seek order from hc or sc for arresting all BJP goons
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