How to control who can add you to a WhatsApp group

We prayed and fasted and petitioned without ceasing, and finally the gods of mobile have deemed it fit to smile on us . Facebook has implemented a way to control who can add you to a WhatsApp group. Somebody shout, Hallelujah!

If there is one thing I disliked about WhatsApp, it is how anyone with half a brain can grab you and yank you into a group you have no idea what it is about. As a matter of fact, the person who added you can be a complete stranger who got your number from Gondwanaland.

Horrible. Oh, and when you do choose to exercise your fundamental human right to leave, there is that silent scream, “Mister Mo has left the group“. Awon weyrey. They need to get rid of that too. I wasn’t asked to be added. Please don’t make noise when I opt to leave.

Anyway, first things first: we have this new feature that gives you control who can add you to a WhatsApp group. Let’s enjoy this small victory.

So, how do you go about doing this? Come with me.

How to control who can add you to a WhatsApp group

Launch WhatsApp on your phone and follow these steps:

Settings > Account > Privacy > Groups.

You will see three options under the Groups menu:

• Everyone: Select this to allow anyone and everyone who has your WhatsApp number add you to a group.
• My contacts: Select this option to restrict those who can add you to only numbers you have saved.
• Nobody: Select this to prevent anyone from adding you to a group without your consent. You see this option right here? This is the power to reclaim your sanity and privacy.

If you block everyone from adding you to a grpoup without your consent, anyone who wants to add you to a WhatsApp Group has to send you a private invitation. Isn’t this how it should have been from the beginning?

Anyway, a private invitation has an automatic expiry of 72 hours. If you don’t want to join the group, the invitation will automatically expire after 72 hours.

Update Your WhatsApp App

If you check your WhatsApp but cannot find this new WhatsApp Group feature, then you have to wait for it to arrive your device via an update. It will get to you in a matter of weeks.