Telegram 7.5 Beta Introduces QR Code Group Invites And Other New Features

Telegram is currently testing several new features via its latest beta, version 7.5. According to TestingCatalog, among them includes QR code-based group invitations, disappearing messages, widgets for Android users, and more.

Much like rival private messaging platform WhatsApp, Telegram now allows administrators to share invitations to people who wish to join their group chats via special links or QR codes. These invitations can also be set to expire after a duration of time – such as an hour, a day or none at all. Alternatively, administrators can also customise them further by adding a limited number of uses – for instance, setting a limit of only 100 scans or clicks before the invitation becomes inaccessible for other users. The limited invitation feature is quite interesting and is somewhat reminiscent of Clubhouse‘s invite-only approach for its group chats.

Speaking of which, version 7.5 also introduces the new Broadcast Group feature. This enables users to create broadcast-only only groups, meaning that only admins or selected members are allowed to chat. Other participants may only observe the discussion, therefore making this feature to resemble that of a press conference or a seminar – much like Clubhouse. Additionally, TestingCatalog says that a Broadcast Group is allowed to have an unlimited number of “audiences”. Normally, this would cause a headache for administrators but seeing that only a limited number of people are allowed to chat, certain risks such as spam and trolling can be avoided entirely.

It is also possible to convert an existing group into broadcast-only, but this would cause non-admin members to lose the ability to chat in the channel. Also, keep in mind that the transformation is irreversible, so all changes are permanent once the decision is made.

Taking another page from WhatsApp (and also Facebook Messenger) is the disappearing messages feature, where – as its name suggests – deletes a particular message after a duration of time. In Telegram’s case, these can be set by the administrator to be within 24 hours or 7 days. This feature has its usefulness, such as deleting reminders or pinned posts that are no longer relevant after a certain period of time.

Lastly, version 7.5 now enables Android users to add Telegram widgets to their phone’s home screen in either a 2 x 2 or 5 x 2 layout. This enables them quick access to their favourite individual or group chats – a feature that most users would agree was a long time coming.

The Telegram beta was made available only to testers sometime last week. At this time, the platform has not announced when the stable version of 7.5 is expected to be rolled out to the public.

Far Cry 6 Beta Invites Are Phishing Scams, Says Ubisoft

Far Cry 6 is set to launch this year on 26 May, if a previous Microsoft Store listing is to be believed. And it sounds right about the time many game publishers release a beta for their games, which serve more as a demo than an actual beta. But if you do get one, it’s more than likely a phishing scam in disguise.

YouTuber theRadBrad tweeted about an email going around with claims to give beta access to Far Cry 6. It supposedly comes from an official Ubisoft address, and comes with an embargo to make it look more legitimate. Clicking on the provided link instals malware that “watches your screen and records everything you do”.

Ubisoft has since confirmed that Far Cry 6 beta emails are phishing attempts. Naturally, the company also tells you to not interact with such emails.

As mentioned earlier, it’s been pretty common for game publishers to release betas shortly before a game’s release. These scammers are obviously seeing the pattern, and are trying to capitalise on it. And with the Far Cry series being one of Ubisoft’s three biggest IPs, it’s the perfect vector too.

Of course, it’s not only Far Cry 6 that’s been used as scammer bait. Late last year, hackers sent out a fake beta for Cyberpunk 2077 Mobile. Downloading it would have resulted in an Android device getting infected by ransomware.

Elon Musk Invites Vladimir Putin To Chat On Clubhouse; Russia Open To Idea

Billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk just asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to a chat on audio-based social app Clubhouse, and the Russian government isn’t ruling it out. The Kremlin is looking to hear more details of the proposed chat, however.

Musk, who is known (and arguably beloved) for his maverick moves, first tweeted in English at the official Twitter account of the Russian president, proposing a Clubhouse conversation. He then followed that up with a Russian tweet saying, “It would be a great honour to speak with you.”

Moscow’s response was non-committal, but crucially, not fully dismissive either. “In general, this is of course a very interesting proposal, but we need to understand what is meant, what is being proposed… first we need to check, then we will react,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, according to Reuters.

Peskov said the Russian president doesn’t use social media directly. Putin has been publicly critical of Western social media companies, and according to Time magazine, suggested that big tech threatened “legitimate democratic institutions.” Last year, he signed new laws apparently aimed at restricting access to US social media websites, Reuters reported.

As for the Clubhouse, the young app has been booming in part because of Musk. His popularity in China initially drove the app’s uptake in the country before it was blocked by authorities. Musk’s interview with Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev (a man at the heart of the Gamestop drama) went viral across the Internet, and he could be looking to do the same with Putin.