One of the world’s most popular means of communication, Facebook’s WhatsApp, is adding fully encrypted video calling to its messaging app.
“We’re introducing this feature because we know that sometimes voice and text just aren’t enough,” WhatsApp said in a blog post late Monday. “And we want to make these features available to everyone, not just those who can afford the most expensive new phones or live in countries with the best cellular networks.”
The new feature which will be released in a few days will be available across all platforms, including Android, iOS and Windows devices. The video call feature has been embedded into the chat video alongside voice calls. To place a video call users simply open a chat and click on the phone icon that shows both voice and video options.
WhatsApp crossed over 1 billion active monthly users and the popular messaging platform has rolled out a number of updates that include Gif support, end to end encryption and two-step verification for Android users.
The move comes as privacy advocates worry about the potential for stepped-up government surveillance under a Trump administration.
WhatsApp adopted end-to-end encryption early this year, making it technically impossible for the company or government authorities to read messages or listen to calls. The new video calling service will thus provide another means for people to communicate without fear of eavesdropping though WhatsApp does retain other data such as an individual’s list of contacts.
WhatsApp also revised its privacy statement in August to allow sharing information about users with its parent company Facebook. That means Facebook knows whom WhatsApp users contact and their phone numbers.
