New Delhi: Instant messaging platform WhatsApp has doubled the number of people allowed in its group voice and video calls to eight, from its previous limitation of four.
“We’re doubling the number of participants you can have on a WhatsApp video or voice call from four to eight people at a time,” a statement released Tuesday by WhatsApp read.
The Facebook-owned platform said people across the world have been spending over 15 billion minutes every day on both voice and video calls in the past several weeks of the pandemic.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has meant that many of us are isolated from friends and family. As a result, we see that people all over the world are turning to voice and video calling on WhatsApp more than ever before,” WhatsApp said in the statement.
According to a survey, WhatsApp has seen a 40 per cent increase in usage amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
The messaging platform, however, said users will have to update to the latest version of WhatsApp available on iPhone or Android to avail the new feature.
Also read: This online quiz contest by Bengaluru group is engaging families across the world every Sunday
WhatsApp limited number of forwards
Earlier this month, WhatsApp had limited the number of forwards to curb the spread of misinformation amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The platform also announced a WhatsApp Coronavirus Information Hub in partnership with the World Health Organization, UNICEF and UNDP for health workers, educators and others.
The Union Ministry of Health, in partnership with WhatsApp, had launched its ‘MyGov Corona helpdesk’ last month to ensure streaming of accurate health information related to Covid-19.
Similar services were set in motion in Delhi, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana and Kerala to provide accurate and credible information in both English, Hindi and the state-specific regional language.
Also read: Family WhatsApp groups in Covid times are more about maida, not Modi