Meta is set to launch a new feature for WhatsApp that will allow users to share photos and videos with nearby individuals. Dubbed “People Nearby,” this feature is similar to Google’s Quick Share and Apple’s AirDrop, allowing users to easily exchange media with people in close proximity. The feature is currently under development and will be included in an upcoming update of the messaging service.
To use People Nearby, users can locate nearby individuals through their mobile devices and temporarily share files like photos, videos, and documents. This feature can be enabled or disabled in the WhatsApp settings, and transfers will be conducted under end-to-end encryption without revealing phone numbers. The development of this feature has been observed in the Android beta version of WhatsApp (v2.24.9.22), with its main features shared by the specialized portal WABetainfo.
Meta aims to enhance the file-sharing capabilities of WhatsApp with this new feature, bringing it on par with other popular file-sharing services in the market. This innovation adds a new dimension to the messaging service, making it easier for users to exchange media with those around them.
