WhatsApp starts rolling out group video chats supporting eight users

We've already heard rumours that WhatsApp will be doubling the number of people you can video chat with on its service. But now we get confirmation from its parent company, Facebook. The messaging service has started rolling out the feature globally, allowing up to eight people on one call. The one advantage WhatsApp has over its competitors is that it comes with end-to-end encryption. This means "no one else can view or listen to your private conversation, not even WhatsApp," the company said in a blog post. 

Facebook itself has its new Messenger Rooms platform that will let you host up to 50 people in a call. But that doesn't have end-to-end encryption, so WhatsApp might become a go-to for those who want a more secure way to talk to other people.

Facebook takes on Zoom with Messenger Rooms

Facebook hopes to take on Zoom and its ability to host video calls involving large groups of people with its new Messenger Rooms feature. And like Zoom, participants won't need to have a Facebook account to join. Users can host video chats with up to 50 people, and those without Facebook accounts will receive a link to the Room a Facebook user has created and then be redirected to a browser window. For Rooms created through a Facebook Group are open by default to Group members.

If you use the Messenger app to join a Zoom, you can use AR effects as well as new features like immersive backgrounds and mood lighting. The one who creates the Room gets to choose who can see and join the chat. They can remove anyone from the call at any time or lock the Room if they don't want anyone else to join. Participants can leave anytime they want, too. Messenger Rooms have no time limit whatsoever.

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Facebook introduces 'Quiet Mode' to its app

While it's merely a glorified "Do not disturb" option in the app, it might help remind you to step away from Facebook. The social network introduced a new Quiet Mode feature that lets you set limits on how much time you spend on the app. It mutes your push notifications, too. If you try to open Facebook while it's in Quiet Mode, you'll be reminded that you wanted to set this time aside from using the app. Social media might be our only way of staying connected to the world, but Facebook acknowledges we need to set boundaries so we can establish new routines at home.

Facebook also mentioned in its press release that they have "added shortcuts to Notification Settings and News Feed Preferences, so you can make the most of your time on Facebook by controlling the type of posts you see in your News Feed as well as the updates you receive."

Zoom on iOS will no longer send data to Facebook

Video conferencing app Zoom was sending data to Facebook without disclosing this information to its customers. According to Motherboard, the app was sharing information through the Login with Facebook feature. But now, the company has updated its iOS app to stop sending data. Before this update, the app was sharing information like when a user opened the app, their timezone, city, and device details. Zoom claims they were unaware that the Facebook SDK was collecting unnecessary device data. You need to update your app to the latest version of Zoom to make sure it no longer sends your information.