WhatsApp, calls to users without an account are coming

WhatsApp, the world’s most widely used messaging app is preparing a feature to further simplify communications, allowing voice calls and video calls to be initiated with recipients who do not have an account

Through the platform’s web version, it will soon be possible to invite anyone to participate in a conversation via a simple link, eliminating entirely the need to download additional apps, create a profile, or verify your phone number.

WhatsApp, calls and video calls without an account coming soon

Until now, the need to own an account linked to a mobile number has represented a constraint for interacting via Meta’s service. However, as reported by the experts at WABetaInfo, development teams are working on a feature dedicated specifically to external users.

Earlier this year, the company had started testing the possibility of exchanging text messages with people not registered via sharing of a link. Now, this same mechanism is being extended to the audio and video sector.

It will be enough for the room creator to generate a specific address and share it through any available channel, from a simple email to another social network. The recipient will only have to open the link within a normal desktop browser to be immediately inserted into the conversation, skipping the entire registration process.

Encryption and privacy protection

Allowing access to unregistered users naturally raises questions related to data protection. The information emerging indicates that calls with guests will continue to enjoy full end-to-end encryption, maintaining the security standard that characterizes the software.

To achieve this operation without permanent credentials, the system will rely on temporary session identifiers.

These codes will be generated automatically by the external participant’s web browser and will serve exclusively to build the cryptographic keys necessary to protect the data flow. Once the communication window is closed, no trace or personal information of the guest will be retained.

Room management and security filters

Opening external links carries the risk of unwanted intrusions. The developers have addressed the issue by providing broad moderation powers to the organizer of the conversation.

Having the link, indeed, will not guarantee automatic access to the active call. Each guest will require manual approval from the organizer before being able to interact with the other members.

The organizer will maintain full authority over the session: they will be able to eject any problematic participants at any moment or decide to terminate the call definitively for everyone.

Currently this functionality is still under development and not available in public beta versions. Although there is no official launch date, public open testing should begin in the coming months, as soon as code optimization work is completed.