A new feature on the latest Whatsapp update means that users will no longer be added to group chats without their consent.

The latest feature for Android and iOS devices allow users to decide who, if anyone, can add them to new groups.

It can be enabled through the messaging app's privacy settings, with three options now available for who is authorised to add to groups: 'Everyone', 'My Contacts', or 'My Contacts Except...'.

The final option allows users to blacklist certain contacts, who will be forced to send any group chat invites through private chats. Users will then have three days to decide whether or not to accept the invite.

The new update was first rolled out in India in October but will be available to download for all WhatsApp users from Thursday 7th November, 2019.

This comes as the latest in a string of recent updates to the world's most popular messaging app, which is used by around 300 million people daily.


The parent company Facebook is doing a lot recently to fix privacy issues on many of its platforms. The company made similar fixes on Instagram some weeks back where it cracked down  on third party applications that help you manage your followers.