WhatsApp has just introduced “guest calling”, a new feature that allows users to send an invitation to anyone—whether they have a WhatsApp account or not—to join a call. These communications remain free, end-to-end encrypted, and without time limits.
Guest calling now joins a series of other updates related to calls and video calls that WhatsApp unveiled this summer, including the particularly notable arrival of this service on WhatsApp Web.
To safeguard users’ privacy during calls, WhatsApp has put in place a series of measures, including the fact that any guest will need approval from the person hosting the call in order to join. Likewise, before entering the call, guests will be directed to a “waiting room” until the host accepts them.
Among the security-related restrictions is the fact that guests will not be able to see the phone numbers of other participants, send them messages, or add other people to the call.
However, that does not mean guests are completely limited, since they can use the basic call or video call features, such as sharing their computer screen to collaborate and review materials, reacting with a thumbs-up or heart emoji, or raising their hand to participate.
Inviting someone to join a WhatsApp call is very simple. You just need to follow these steps:
Guests will only need to open the invitation link in their computer browser, enter their name, and wait to be accepted by the call host. In the case of a group call, the participant limit is 32 people.
WhatsApp also used its announcement to reveal that before the end of the year it plans to roll out an integration that will allow users to create WhatsApp calls directly from their Google Calendar or Outlook calendar.
To use this feature, users will simply need to install the WhatsApp plugin, connect their account, and add a call link to the invitation. Any invited person will be able to join these calls, even if they do not have an account on the app.
Photo: WhatsApp
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