WhatsApp Community Feature Has Been Launched For Beta Users In Several Countries, Including Malaysia

The WhatsApp Community feature is already available in several countries (photo: doc. Unsplash)

JAKARTA - Ahead of its global launch, it seems that WhatsApp has started releasing its feature that allows users to create Communities in the messaging application.

First reported by WABetainfo and Android Police, it looks like the ability is already coming to some beta testers. The report also notes that the ability to hide your phone number from members of other sub-groups is not supported.

When confirmed by TechCrunch, WhatsApp stated that currently, the full Community feature has been rolled out to a small number of users in several countries.

But unfortunately, the company refuses to share which countries among them have had access, but there is at least one report claiming that Malaysia is among those countries.

This feature was first announced in April, when WhatsApp said this community feature would have the ability to organize groups in a larger structure that could be used by workplaces (companies) or schools.

We're excited to announce a new feature rolling out later this year called Communities!With Communities, you'll be able to bring related groups together in a way that helps you organize meaningful connections easily and privately. pic.twitter.com/eatAZQCmc3

— WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) April 14, 2022

The WhatsApp community is a significant effort to recreate the popularity of Facebook Groups in the messaging app environment. The community includes features designed to add structure to larger group chats such as support for file sharing, 32-person group calling and emoji reactions, as well as admin tools and moderation controls, among others.

Unlike the community on Facebook which is public, this WhatsApp community is more private, and cannot be found on the platform by others. Then, here, only group admins can share announcements to Community members via the main group which can support thousands of users.

Meanwhile, members can chat in sub-groups on a smaller scale and fewer members have been created or approved by admins.