Skip to main content

WhatsApp Channels regulation: Meta should look to Telegram for lessons

The newly launched WhatsApp feature called Channels could be dangerous if not regulated properly. WhatsApp Channels looks inspired by the Telegram feature with a similar name. So you see the concern buds from the way some Telegram Channels propagate illegal and copyright-infringing content. Bots and misinformation are also problem areas that WhatsApp should pay attention to.

Let’s first understand how WhatsApp Channels work and in what way it is similar to Telegram Channels.

What is WhatsApp Channels? How is it similar to Telegram Channels?

WhatsApp Channels is described as a “private broadcast service” to follow all topics you care about. Well, the channels around the themes you like could be run by people or organizations. These WhatsApp Channel admins will get to monetize the service they provide thanks to the integration of WhatsApp Pay.

Also Read: WhatsApp HD image sharing is in the works: 5 ways it can be useful

This is similar to how the Telegram Channels work in some respects. There is the broadcast part and the Telegram Payments 2.0 part. 

WhatsApp

However, Telegram Channels has been around since 2015 and over the years, scores of Channels around a myriad of topics and themes have cropped up. While many of these are useful and indulge in fair content and practices, there are some that don’t.

One could easily find Telegram Channels that distribute pirated content, bots and shortcuts for growth hacks on social media platforms like Instagram. In the even darker alleys of Telegram, you may come across extremist groups and dangerous elements.

Also Read: WhatsApp banned 74 lakh accounts in India over safety concerns

In 2022, the Indian judiciary mandated Telegram to disclose the channels that are involved in copyright infringement. Time and again, the app has faced the ire of authorities across the world including India, Brazil, etc.

Even when it claims it has banned a channel, it’s not known whether that means it has taken down the content also or not. You can read more about this in Yale University’s The Tale of  Telegram Governance report.

So, it seems WhatsApp can look to Telegram for lessons on regulation: Both what to do and what not to do.



from Apps News https://ift.tt/3Cp1GSl
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Nothing just 5 Nothing Phone 2 details officially confirmed so far

Nothing Phone 2 could be semi-transparent or at least have a translucent charging cable. It won’t be a small phone either. Here’s everything we have learned about the phone from Carl Pei as well as leaks and rumours. Starting with what Carl Pei has hinted at in bits and pieces so far. Official Nothing Phone 2 hints and teasers 1. Semi-transparent USB-C cable pic.twitter.com/LOYjBLa5UZ — Carl Pei (@getpeid) June 19, 2023 So, the top portion of USB-C connector of Nothing Phone 2 sports the signature "transparent design language" of the brand. You can see the Nothing brandng through the transparent part. Carl calls it "nice" and we agree. It does look nice but we are concerned whether it will be discoloured in time.  2. Not a small phone Contrary to what we may believe living in the echo chamber, very few people buy small phones https://t.co/aVolitAzN3 — Carl Pei (@getpeid) June 18, 2023 Carl says not many people buy small phones. Generally, people prefer big di...
Post a Comment
Read more