Telegram, a privacy-conscious messaging app, has launched a clubhouse-style feature called Voice Chats 20 This feature allows users to have unlimited live voice chat sessions with other participants

The feature builds on Telegram's existing voice features built into the app's interface: voice chat titles, the ability to record voice chats, the ability to raise a hand to ask a question, and an invite link This update follows the rise of voice-only messaging platforms such as Clubhouse and Twitter Spaces, and Telegram is looking to get in on the action and snag one of Clubhouse's signature features

Voice Chat 20 will riff on Clubhouse's platform, which allows users to jump into ongoing discussions, and repurpose it for the various channels and public groups that are the mainstay of Telegram's platform

Telegram detailed the update in a blog post, which will be somewhat recognizable to Clubhouse enthusiasts: administrators of Telegram's channels and public groups can now make voice calls to an unlimited number of live participants Previously, this feature was limited to group chats, but can now be broadcast to many willing (or not so willing) listeners in public groups and channels If an administrator misses the initial live voice chat, he or she can record the call and later share it with members of various Telegram groups

As with Clubhouse, you do not have much say as a listener: you are muted by default, and participants must use the "raise your hand" feature to let the administrator know that they are interested in speaking during the live voice chat And if they feel it violates the authoritarian aspect, the administrator has the authority to choose which listeners to speak by looking at the listener's Telegram biography

Telegram has also enhanced its app for Android users, allowing them to choose what happens when they swipe left in the chat list This can be pinned, deleted, or indicate that the chat has been read Similarly, iOS users have access to this feature and can swipe left or right to perform the same action

All of this follows the privacy uproar over WhatsApp, which spiked the number of users heading to Signal's secure lair, but at the same time Telegram's numbers also soared, as the app was widely recognized as more privacy-focused and encrypted messaging apps to make the list of best messaging apps

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