WhatsApp announced the global release of a highly anticipated new feature: the transcription of voice messages into text. This novelty is designed for improve the accessibility and convenience of communication on the platformallowing users to light the content of an audio message instead of listening to it.
Currently the feature supports English, Portuguese, Spanish and Russian languages, but this is expected the arrival of the Italian in the coming months. To enable transcription, users must go to the app settings and select the desired language among those available.
Transcription of an audio message can be activated by holding down the message and selecting the “transcribe” option. The transcribed text will appear in the same chat window, ensuring a smooth transition between audio and text. However, it is important to note that the function may not work correctly in the presence of background noise or if the message language does not match the one set.
Improves accessibility for people who are deaf or hard of hearing
Meta, the company that owns WhatsApp, stressed that user privacy remains a top priority. All transcribed texts are processed locally on the recipient’s devicewithout the need to send data to external servers or use an internet connection. Thanks to end-to-end encryption, neither Meta nor other third parties can access the voice or text content, thus ensuring a high level of security.
This feature represents a significant step forward for digital inclusionmaking WhatsApp more accessible to deaf people or people with hearing difficulties. Transcription allows them to participate in voice conversations easily and immediately, eliminating a historical barrier to communication. It can also be useful in contexts where listening to an audio message is difficult or inappropriate, such as in noisy or silent environments.
This new feature is set to revolutionize the way users interact with voice messages on WhatsApp. Transcription not only improves the overall user experience but also offers a concrete solution to accessibility needsstrengthening Meta’s commitment to ever-wider inclusion.
