Observed Signal · Aug 9, 2023 · Technical Release · Source: OnlineMarketing.de · Impact: 4/5 · Sentiment: Positive
WhatsApp Screensharing for Video Calls
WhatsApp is introducing screen sharing for video calls, with the feature initially visible to select Android beta testers as reported by WABetaInfo. A teaser screenshot circulated on Mark Zuckerberg's Instagram channel hinted at the feature's rollout. The capability would allow users to share their screen during a video call after an in-call confirmation, and users can stop sharing at any time. The rollout may focus on small group calls and could depend on recipients having a recent WhatsApp version. In addition, WhatsApp has launched a Security Center to educate users on safety, spam protection, and two-step verification. The piece notes that the feature has been in development since June 2023 and may expand to broader audiences in upcoming updates.
Technical release of a major platform feature (WhatsApp) with potential industry impact.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- WhatsApp is adding screen sharing for video calls, initially in Android beta.
- Feature is reported by WABetaInfo and teased on Mark Zuckerberg's Instagram channel.
- Screen sharing requires in-call confirmation and can be ended at any time.
- Early reporting suggests it may target small video calls and depend on recipient app versions.
- WhatsApp launched a Security Center to educate users on safety and two-step verification.
Connected Companies & Entities
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WhatsApp Tests Sharing Instagram and Facebook Content Directly in App
WhatsApp is beta-testing a feature that lets users share photos, videos, Stories, and Reels from linked Instagram and Facebook accounts directly within the WhatsApp media picker, eliminating the need to switch between apps. To use it, users must link their WhatsApp account to the Meta Accounts Center via the 'Account Overview' section in settings. Shared content can be posted in status updates and conversations, but sharing is one-way: Instagram and Facebook do not access WhatsApp media, and personal messages remain end-to-end encrypted. Currently rolling out to select beta testers on Android and iOS, the feature was discovered by WABetaInfo. No public release date has been announced.
WhatsApp Testing Guest Calls, Event Hub, Restricted Chats
WhatsApp is developing three new features: guest calls allowing people without a WhatsApp account to join voice and video calls via browser links, a centralized Event Hub for managing events and sharing invitations with non-users, and Restricted Chat to protect private conversations from access via linked devices and AI agents. The features were discovered by WABetaInfo in beta versions for iOS and Android. Guest calls, currently in development, would let iOS users create call links that guests can open in a browser without installing the app, with end-to-end encryption maintained. The Event Hub, found in Android beta, aggregates event creation, management, and responses, and allows sharing event links with non-WhatsApp users. Restricted Chat, also in Android beta, builds on Advanced Chat Privacy to prevent chat export, automatic media saving, sharing with Meta AI, and access from linked devices. Rollout dates are not yet announced.
Validating Telegram Mini App initData in PHP
This tutorial provides a step-by-step guide on securely validating Telegram Mini App initData in PHP. It covers parsing the raw query string, constructing the data_check_string, deriving the secret key via HMAC-SHA-256, performing timing-safe comparisons with hash_equals, and checking auth_date expiry. The article includes code examples and production hardening tips such as rate limiting, validating user shape, and avoiding logging sensitive data. The guide is intended for developers building Telegram Mini Apps and emphasizes treating initData as untrusted input.
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