WhatsApp

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WhatsApp is a simple application to easily exchange short messages, e.g. links, and pictures, and perform audio and video calls.

It is available on virtually any device/operating system: smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktops.

Functionality[edit]

  • Adding new participants
    • New participants only receive future messages
    • New users should enter their name and about
    • Inviting others:
      • You can invite others via a unique link
      • The coordinator can add others by their mobile number (add name in mobile contacts)
  • An admin has additional rights
  • There exist a companion browser app (easily activated via QR code) ⇒ mobile device needs to be reachable
  • There exist a desktop app
  • Configure the group (logo, description)
  • Navigation:
    • Get all messages from one participant by clicking on their name
    • See groups membership
    • Show a group from a person group membership
    • Search in all messages

Storage[edit]

  • No central database. Everyone is storing ones own copy of the messages (where is the membership stored?)
  • Newcomers only see future messages
  • Everyone can remove any local message
  • You can only remove your own messages from others' device

Media[edit]

  • URLs can be easily posted; the first image on the page is shown as miniature

Usage[edit]

  • Collaboratively editing Wikipedia articles
  • Prepare meetings
  • Urgently distribute short messages

Security[edit]

  • The groups are closed
  • New members have to be invited by URL or added
  • The admin can remove (bad behaving) participants
  • Identification by mobile number (no login)

Known problems[edit]

  • You need to add the mobile number of the others in your contact list to see the name instead of the number (profile names of new participants are not replicated)