This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
Meta Platforms (META, Financials) said it is adding a translation feature to WhatsApp, expanding communication across languages for its global base of more than 3 billion users.
The company said translations will launch in six languages on Android devices and 19 on iPhones, with additional languages to follow. The tool allows users to long-press a message and select Translate to view text in another language. The function applies to personal conversations, group chats and channel updates.
Android users can also enable automatic translation for entire threads so future messages appear in their chosen language by default. Meta stressed that translations are done on the device, not on business servers, to protect privacy.
The update makes WhatsApp more useful in places where people often send messages in more than one language. This fits with Meta’s larger goal of making communication technologies available to more people throughout the world. The next thing the organization needs to do is add other languages and see how many people utilize the service.