WhatsApp Testing Guest Chat Feature with End-to-End Encryption. WhatsApp is experimenting with a new feature that could reshape how we commu...
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| WhatsApp Testing Guest Chat Feature with End-to-End Encryption. |
WhatsApp is experimenting with a new feature that could reshape how we communicate with people who aren’t already on the platform. Spotted in Android beta v2.25.22.13 by independent analysts at WABetaInfo, the upcoming "guest chat" option would allow WhatsApp users to communicate with non-users through a secure, web-based interface.
The concept is simple yet powerful: users would be able to generate a secure invitation link and share it with anyone—even if the recipient hasn’t downloaded WhatsApp or registered for an account. By clicking the link, the guest would be routed to a temporary, encrypted web chat environment where they could exchange messages in real time.
According to early reports, WhatsApp is ensuring that these guest conversations remain end-to-end encrypted, consistent with its long-standing privacy policy. This means not even WhatsApp can read the messages, and the temporary nature of the guest session helps preserve privacy further.
This new feature seems designed to lower the friction for communication. Many businesses, service providers, or even personal contacts often face the problem of needing someone to install an app just to have a conversation. Guest chat could remove that barrier, making it easier for WhatsApp users to reach broader audiences without sacrificing the platform’s core security principles.
Similar to how services like Signal and Telegram offer link-based interactions and web access, WhatsApp is attempting to close the usability gap while remaining secure and privacy-conscious. However, unlike Telegram, WhatsApp does not store messages on the cloud by default, reinforcing the confidentiality of each session.
Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company, has not officially confirmed the rollout or given a release timeline. However, given that the feature is already present in beta code, a public launch could be on the horizon—pending privacy reviews and UX testing.
Until then, WhatsApp users and privacy advocates alike are watching closely. A guest chat system that respects encryption protocols while expanding usability could offer a glimpse into the future of secure, barrier-free communication.
