Ah, WhatsApp. Probably everyone’s favorite messenger owing to its simplicity and versatility. I don’t think a day goes by when we don’t use it.
Even though we use it so much, there are certain aspects of it that we do not like. I’m talking about WhatsApp groups. They were designed to help people communicate with their friends, and colleagues and get things done. The reality, on the other hand, is very different. The last thing that is done in group chats is work.
Me after two days in family whatsApp group.. pic.twitter.com/6ePXDSWfrp
— Bruce Wayne 🦇 (@WaizArd20) December 13, 2018
The infamous family WhatsApp Group is known for its spontaneous plan-making and just-as-spontaneous plan-failing.
Also known for being a hub of fake forwards, old memes and lame jokes by old uncles, these group chats are kinda unbearable. I mean I just put them on mute and never look back at them.
I don’t think there is a single WhatsApp group that I haven’t muted yet. I don’t care if I miss out on anything – nothing is worth my peace.
My phone got noisy suddenly. Just realized my "mute for 1 year" on whatsapp groups expired 😁#WednesdayWisdom #WhatsApp
— Piyush Sharma (@misterpiyush) August 21, 2018
Imagine your phone going haywire having to notify you of all the messages that are constantly being sent in these groups. Banda phone hi band karle.
And honestly, people worldwide have been asking WhatsApp for a feature that literally just asks for their permission before they’re added to a group chat.
Whatsapp should really come up with a feature where you have to give permission before being added to a group! pic.twitter.com/XUcZKLLurO
— laughter.mr (@laughter_mr) December 10, 2018
WhatsApp should really come up with a feature whereby u need to be asked permission before being added to a group 😒
— LEVEL UP SON! (@TeeC_Sasa) December 11, 2018
So much so, that apparently the Indian government got involved too…
WhatsApp directed by Indian Govt to seek users permission before they are added to groups https://t.co/TonY2XjIwU
— MaxIT (@maxitonline) December 10, 2018
WhatsApp directed by Indian Govt to seek users permission before they are added to groups https://t.co/DBuviUT7vD
— ahiutech (@ahiutech) December 10, 2018
Following that, there were rumors circulating that WhatsApp has introduced a new feature that gives you the control over which groups you’re added to.
#WhatsApp Latest Update: No One can Add you In Group without Approval https://t.co/VZ37xVR2JG pic.twitter.com/ijZTAzanPW
— PhoneWorld (@PhoneWorldpk) December 10, 2018
You heard that right! No one can (potentially) add you to any groups without YOUR permission let alone annoying groups, uff. Now, I wasn’t sure if this was true or not so I decided to investigate a little. I mean, I WANT it to be a real thing but can’t really say anything until I’m sure so let’s take a closer look.
So first things first, we gotta update the app to the latest version to get all the new stuff.
Well, updating will only help IF there is any new stuff but let’s just do it.
Great, now let’s look at what new “features” have been added.
Blah blah blah. I don’t see any mention of any group chat features. Sigh…ab kya karu? Alright, let’s just try making a new group chat and hope that they added this feature. Maybe they forgot mentioning it in the app details…(I was REALLY hopeful, y’all.)
So, with the help of a friend, I got myself added to a group chat.
That notification is not a good sign. I mean, if WhatsApp was going to ask me for permission, it would’ve shown a notification for it like “X added you to the group Y” with Accept and Reject options. So far, all hope was dead but I really wanted it to be true so I decided to tap on the notification and see if I got any choices.
Jo thori si umeed reh gai thi, wo bhi gai.
BUT WAIT.
What if the feature had just rolled out on iOS and I use Android so I wouldn’t get the update? So I went ahead and asked my Apple fan-boy friend whether he got the update or not. Turns out, even after updating, there was nothing new on his side either.
Then I decided to check WhatsApp’s official site and turns out wahan per bhi kuch nahi hai.
Conclusion:
Since there is nothing on the website or the internet, no one has that feature on their device yet and only one online source has mentioned the supposed “feature”, it looks like this myth is BUSTED – much to my dismay. Chalo, we can still keep hoping. Let me know if you’ve heard of any more rumors you want me to investigate.
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Cover image via wikipedia.org