Overview
- WhatsApp began rolling the feature to select WhatsApp Web beta testers Monday, letting some users start group voice or video calls directly from the browser.
- Group calls support up to 32 participants for both voice and video and let callers choose which group members to include instead of ringing the whole group.
- Calls use end-to-end encryption based on the Signal protocol and include inviteable call links that expire after 30 days of inactivity plus an optional waiting room to vet entrants.
- Video calls on the web support screen sharing from the browser while voice-only calls do not, and the web controls mirror those on WhatsApp’s mobile and desktop clients.
- The update matters most for browser-first users, notably Linux users who lack a desktop app, and wider release will depend on the outcome of the ongoing phased beta.