• According to reports, WhatsApp is making its screen sharing feature available to more beta testers with Android devices.
• It is also said to be readying for a wider rollout, once the testing is complete.
• The feature also carries a proviso that WhatsApp would have access to any information or data viewable during screen sharing.

WhatsApp continues to make its instant messaging platform more business friendly, as the company is reportedly expanding the beta testing of a new screen sharing feature.

Spotted by WABetaInfo, it looks like WhatsApp is trying to make its platform comparable to that of Zoom or Microsofft Teams, and allowing users to screen record or share with others during a video call. As such, it would offer WhatsApp a bit more when it comes to videoconferencing capabilities.

The feature is yet to become fully fledged, however, and is currently being tested out by a select number of Android users. A larger rollout is expected soon, although a precise has not been hinted at. As is the fact that it is unclear what model or software version of Android device will be able to support screen sharing via WhatsApp.

For now, the feature is said to have a new icon that sits alongside other existing elements of the UI. Once pressed, it brings up a prompt stating, “Start recording or casting with WhatsApp?”. There is also a mention of what permissions and access the feature will require, with passwords, photos or payment details displayed while screen recording or sharing, being accessible by WhatsApp.

It is quite a big ask, especially when it comes to privacy, so it will be interesting to see how many users would be keen on such a feature knowing just how much information WhatsApp could be privy to.

For now though, it remains in beta.

[Image – Photo by Eyestetix Studio on Unsplash]