WhatsApp offers more privacy controls to prevent random strangers from adding you to group

WhatsApp is finally allowing its users to decide wher y want to get ded to groups. anuncement comes ahe of 2019 Indian general elections.

"WhatsApp groups continue to connect family, friends, coworkers, classmates and more. As people turn to groups for important conversations, users have asked for more control over ir experience," WhatsApp said in a statement. 

WhatsApp has ded new group privacy setting to let users decide who can d m to groups. Previously, WhatsApp users could be ded to groups without ir consent. 

How to customise WhatsApp group controls

All you need to do is go to 'settings' option in WhatsApp and select one of three options: body, my contacts, or everyone. 

If you choose 'body,' you have to respond to every group joining request. If you choose 'my contacts' option, anyone from your WhatsApp can d you to groups without your friends. In that case, person inviting you to a group will be prompted to send a private invite through an individual chat.

Users will have 72 hours to respond to a group joining request.

RE | Here's how to use WhatsApp's new 'tipline' to flag Election 2019 fake-news

"With se new features, users will have more control over group messs y receive," WhatsApp said. 

WhatsApp is rolling out se new group privacy settings to select users starting today. feature will be available worldwide in coming weeks.

WhatsApp has more than 200 million users in India. In past, WhatsApp has faced flak from Indian government after a series of mob-lynching incidents, triggered by rumours spreing on WhatsApp, claimed lives last year.

RE | WhatsApp issues ultimatum to Indian political parties to prevent misuse of platform

Under pressure to stop rumours and fake news, WhatsApp h last year restricted forwarding messs to five chats at a time. of late, WhatsApp has been creating awareness through vertisements in newspapers and running television and rio campaigns educating users on how to spot fake news and misinformation.

Earlier, WhatsApp issued an ultimatum to Indian political parties to prevent misuse of platform

(With inputs from PTI)