Meta Platforms on Tuesday announced the launch of a new, integrated translation feature for its WhatsApp messaging service, a move aimed at enabling seamless communication across different languages for its global user base.
The functionality is being rolled out to bridge communication gaps and simplify cross-language conversations directly within the application. The initial deployment will support 19 languages on iPhones and six languages on Android devices, with the company confirming that more languages will be added in the future.
Functionality and Privacy
The new feature allows users to translate messages by long-pressing on a specific text within a conversation and selecting a “Translate” option. This capability is available in personal chats, group chats, and for updates posted in WhatsApp Channels.
In a statement, Meta emphasized the feature’s focus on privacy, confirming that all translations are processed exclusively on the user’s device. This on-device processing ensures that the content of the messages is not accessible by WhatsApp’s servers, thereby maintaining end-to-end encryption and user privacy.
“Message translations were designed to protect the privacy of your chats. That’s why translations occur on your device where WhatsApp cannot see them,” the company stated in a blog post.
Platform-Specific Features
For users on the Android platform, an additional setting for automatic translation will be available. This optional feature can be enabled on a per-chat basis, allowing all subsequent messages in a designated conversation to be translated by default without manual intervention. The introduction of this tool marks a significant step in making the platform more accessible for international communication.
