WhatsApp’s new features: Dark Mode and ‘Swipe To Reply’ for Android

Popular app WhatsApp may soon introduce new features for users. The company is working on features such as a dark mode and a new ‘Swipe to Reply’ feature as well.

‘Swipe to Reply' feature

WhatsApp is currently working on a ‘Swipe to Reply’ feature for Android users. At the moment, this feature is already available on iOS. With this feature, one needs to simply swipe right the message they want to reply and the message will load in the reply context. WhatsApp has recently submitted a new update through the Google Play Beta Programme, which brings the beta version up to 2.18.282 respectively.

Dark Mode

The long-awaited Dark Mode may finally arrive soon to WhatsApp and will be available to Android as well as iOS users. This feature will reduce the stress on the eyes while using the app in the dark or, at night. At the moment, there is no timeline provided as to when exactly, this feature will arrive on the app. WABetaInfo revealed on Twitter, “I’m happy to exclusively give the good news: WhatsApp is finally working on a Dark Mode! It’s a dream. There are many important secret references in recent updates! Be patient to see it out, hoping it will be FULL OLED friendly for Android phones, iPhone X and newer!”

Amid the fake news controversy in the country, WhatsApp CEO Chris Daniels visited India and met IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad to address concerns around the subject on its messaging platform which have led to horrific crimes like mob-lynching.

In conversation with Chris Daniels, IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, “I had a very productive meeting. I complimented him for extraordinary technological awakening that WhatsApp has led in the country, for education, healthcare, relief in Kerala. These are positive developments.”

He added, "There are also very sinister developments, that provokes crime like mob lynching, revenge porn, & you must find solutions to these challenges which are downright criminal violation of Indian laws. I suggested 3 points. 1- WhatsApp must have a grievance officer in India. 2nd- you must have a proper compliance of Indian laws.We won't appreciate a scenario where any problem will have to be answered in America. 3rd- WhatsApp has become an important component of India's digital storage & must have a proper corporate entity located in India. "

In July this year, WhatsApp top executives including COO Matthew Idema had met IT Secretary and other Indian government officials to outline various steps being taken by the company to tackle fake news in India.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology had also written to WhatsApp asking it to take immediate steps to prevent the circulation of false information and provocative content, saying it "cannot evade accountability and responsibility". WhatsApp -- in its response to the notice sent by India's IT Ministry -- said it has the ability to prevent spam but since it cannot see the content of private messages, blocking can be done only based on user reports.

With India being its biggest market with over 200 million users, the Facebook-owned messenger service asserted that it responds to "valid" law enforcement requests in investigating crimes.