WhatsApp’s Upcoming ‘People Nearby’ Feature: Enhancing File-Sharing Capabilities with End-to-End Encryption

WhatsApp is set to launch a new feature that will allow users to easily share photos, videos, and documents with people nearby, similar to Google’s Quick Share and Apple’s AirDrop. Dubbed ‘People Nearby’, this feature is currently under development and will be included in an upcoming update of the messaging service.

With People Nearby, users will be able to locate nearby individuals through their mobile devices and temporarily share files. The feature can be enabled or disabled in the WhatsApp settings, and transfers will be conducted under end-to-end encryption without revealing phone numbers. This development has been observed in the Android beta version of WhatsApp (v2.24.9.22) and its main features have been shared by the specialized portal WABetainfo.

Meta aims to enhance the file-sharing capabilities of WhatsApp with this new feature, making it easier for users to exchange media with people in close proximity. This innovation brings a new dimension to the messaging service and aligns it with the functionalities of other popular file-sharing services in the market.