The world's most popular messaging app has announced that it will multiply the number of simultaneous callers on its built-in video call feature, as more people use video calls during the lock-down to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic across the globe.

Currently, more than one third of the world's population is in a lockdown, keeping friends, families and employees physically apart. Since the outbreak of the COVID 19, people have colossally relied on video calls to remain socially connected.

As a result, the use of such platforms such as Skype and Zoom skyrocketed, although the latter's aggressive uptake came with critical security and privacy concerns.

WhatsApp's 4-user video call limit, however, has been irking its more than 2 billion users who wish to host larger group calls for personal or business matters.

Now, with more than 700 million users who use the app and Messenger daily for calling, WhatsApp has said it will double the number to 8 users (including the host) at the end of April.

"In many countries, calling has doubled since the Covid-19 outbreak began. To help you stay connected with your whole family and groups of friends, we're doubling the number of people who can participate in a group video call from 4 to 8 on WhatsApp," said Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook, WhatsApp’s parent company.

Unlike most of its competitors, WhatsApp calls will be end-to-end encrypted - only you and the person (s) you are communicating with can read, listen to or watch the message. 

Meanwhile, Facebook has announced more and significant upgrades across its popular social media platforms.

It has launched Messenger Rooms where up to 50 people can connect simultaneously via video call. People from different platforms like WhatsApp, Portal, Instagram can join the video call if they have the concerned video call link.

On Instagram, the company is bringing live videos to desktop computers and adding a feature that lets you save live videos to Instagram TV. Figures show that there are now over 800 million daily active users across Facebook and Instagram Live.