WhatsApp’s new feature for transcribing voice chats

Instant messaging platform WhatsApp has introduced a feature that allows users to transcribe voice messages into a readable format to improve accessibility and usability.

In an update from WhatsApp beta tracker WABetaInfo last Wednesday, users were informed that the new feature is encrypted in the latest version 2.24.15.5 of the app for Android, which is available for download from the Google Play Store.

In addition to installing the app on their devices, users will need to download an additional data pack in their preferred language. Currently, English, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian and Hindi are available.

Transcribing voice notes improves the accessibility of the app as it significantly improves the user experience for those with hearing impairments. By converting voice messages to text, these users can easily participate in conversations with voice notes that they might otherwise miss,” WABetaInfo explained.

“Transcriptions are beneficial in noisy environments where listening to audio messages is complicated. Users can read the transcribed text instead, ensuring they stay informed and can respond appropriately without having to listen to the original audio.”

The upgrade is also intended to provide convenience to users who receive longer voice notes by allowing them to quickly read the transcription rather than listening to the entire audio message.

Transcriptions also provide a quick reference if searching is needed later, allowing users to find and review the contents of voice notes without having to replay the audio file.

According to WABetaInfo, voice transcripts are generated on the device, which means no third party can hear the voice notes or read the transcripts.

The development is the latest major overhaul of Meta’s own app after it introduced a feature early last year that allowed users to share voice notes in their status updates.

This represents a departure from the previous rule, whereby users could only share photos, videos, texts and links with their contacts via the status function.

In the three months to March this year, thousands of Kenyans stopped using WhatsApp amid an aggressive crackdown on clone apps, catapulting its sister platform Facebook to the top of the list of the country’s most used social media platforms.

Data from the Kenyan Communications Authority shows that WhatsApp usage fell by 0.3 percent to 47 percent during this period after Meta stepped up its fight against clone apps such as GBWhatsApp and YoWhatsApp, among others.