Viber’s new feature gives users ‘fly-on-the-wall’ feel

Talmon Marco, CEO of Viber, introducing to journalists the new Public Chats feature of Viber. MATIKAS SANTOS/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines – Viber announced Thursday a new feature that allows users to get direct updates from their favorite news organizations, celebrities, and interest groups.

Viber Public Chats was officially announced by Viber’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Talmon Marco during an intimate media roundtable discussion in Aracama restaurant, The Fort Strip, Bonifacio Global City.

Viber users need only to update to version 5.1 of Viber so they will be able to follow the Public Chat profiles of their favorite personalities and brands, including the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Among the partners who are already available on Viber Public Chats are: Boys Night Out, Becky Nights, Smart, Globe, SPIN.ph, PEP.ph, Itchyworms, Manila Secrets, The Palace Manila, SM Supermalls, The Nomads, and Grab Taxi Philippines.

International celebrities and brands such as blogger Perez Hilton, rapper Pitbull, DJ Paul van Dyk, etc. are also available on Public Chats.

Viber Philippines says it has more than 18 million users in the country. They can follow as many Public Chat profiles as they want so they can get multimedia content such as photos, videos, and links from who they are following.

“The release of Public Chats on Viber allows people to interact in a new way, listening to live discussions and staying up-to-date with exclusive content from the people and subjects that matter to them most,” Marco said in a statement released during the launch.

“We are launching this concept with a great line-up of celebrities and personalities all over the world. They are opening up their conversations on Viber, and we are sure our users will love the ‘fly-on-the-wall’ experience this delivers,” he said.