When WhatsApp became our collective default messaging app 10 years ago, it brought with it bundles of joy from voice notes, to video calls, and stickers.
But the WhatsApp feature we love to hate the most? Groups.
They’re supposed to be an easy way to keep in touch with your friends and family but they can often descend into a nightmare of constant notifications and half-filled out Doodle Polls.
The messaging platform is putting a stop to this, so you can ensure that you can’t be added into groups without your permission.
There are three options for group chats now: Nobody – which means no one can add you to a group without an invitation. My contacts – only your contacts can add you to a group without an invitation. And, finally, the anyone setting – so anyone can add you to a group without an invite, which is the current standard at the moment.
How to change your WhatsApp group invitation settings
If you want to change your WhatsApp settings so no one can invite you to a group without your consent, or just your friends, here’s how to do it.- Go to WhatsApp on your device and select Settings.
- In Settings go to Accounts and then Privacy.
- Open up the Group option in Privacy and it’s here that the new group settings feature will prevent itself.
- Choose the options that works for you, either nobody, my contacts, or anybody.
This new group setting is another example of a way to preserve your privacy on the platform.
And, remember, if group chats are getting you down, you can mute the messages for a few hours, a week or even a year. An extremely handy feature.
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