Chat app users blue over two ticks

WHATSAPP has just got more colourful. The little ticks at the right hand corner of the messages sent out on the instant messaging app now have more than just one colour.

The latest version of the service now has a new feature to confirm that a message has been read. A grey tick means a message has been sent. Two grey ticks means it has been delivered. Two blue ticks indicate it has been read. Want to know the exact time it was read? Simply press and hold on the message with the two blue ticks.

While many users have welcomed the changes, netizens complain the update has the potential to hurt their relationships.

The excuse that recipients have not read the messages no longer works.

The app’s official website further explains what happens in a group chat: “In a group chat, the second check marks will appear when all participants in the group have received your message. The two blue check marks will appear when all participants in the group have read your message.

“The Message Info screen shows you who has seen your message and when.”

The website also says that there may be several reasons why your message has been sent but not delivered to your chat partner. Their phone might be off, or they could be sleeping, especially if they live in a different time zone, or they might be experiencing network connection issues.