Viber Messenger Instant Messaging Service

Main article:

• Instant Messenger (IM)
• Types and capabilities of modern VKS systems

Viber is an instant messaging service available for various mobile and desktop platforms. The messenger allows you to make free calls through Wi-Fi and mobile networks (payment only for Internet traffic) between smartphones with Viber installed, as well as transmit text messages, pictures, video and audio messages.

Viber Out is a service that allows you to call at low rates for any telephone numbers, both city and mobile, even if they do not have the Viber application installed on them. Funds added to your Viber Out account can be used without a time limit. The Viber application is available for smartphones and tablets on iPhone, Android, Windows Phone, BlackBerry and computers running Windows, Windows 8, Mac, Linux and Symbian, it works through 3G/4G or WiFi mobile networks . With more than 711 million unique users in 193 countries, Viber is constantly evolving, adapting to new platforms and adding interesting features such as public chat. Viber is part of the Rakuten group .

Audience

2021

Third place in terms of mobile traffic in Russia

The three used Russia messengers in closes Viber with a share of 6%. This was announced on December 22, 2021. Megaphone More. here

Achieve 1 billion Google Play downloads worldwide

On October 14, 2021, Viber announced that the Viber messenger exceeded the mark of a billion downloads worldwide in the Google Play store. This happened at the end of September 2021.

The company noted an increase in user activity in early October 2021. There was an increase not only in the audience of the messenger among users, OS Android but also in user activity on all other platforms. According to the information company, on October 4, the number of user registrations in Viber around the world increased 5 times, and in peak hours - 10 times. Also in Viber, the number of messages increased by 75% and the number of calls increased by 2 times.

Activity growth was also observed in Russia: for example, the number of app activations increased by 106% per day, and the number of messages at rush hour - by 57%. Russians began to make 2 times more calls to Viber, and the number of message senders during peak hours increased by 38%.

The increase in user activity in Viber in Russia is also confirmed by data telecom the operators. In particular, according to the research service. Beeline Analytics, on October 4, the volume of traffic in the Viber messenger in Russia increased by 60%, and the number of users by 43%. The largest growth among Beeline subscribers occurred Lipetsk in (+ 201%), Voronezh (+ 151%), Kurskaya (+ 146%), Novgorod (+ 144%) St. Petersburg and (+ 139%) regions.

Tele2 also recorded a 150% increase in Viber traffic.

The reason for this increase in activity in the Viber application was, among other things, the situation of massive failures in the work of other social networks and communication applications on October 4. Viber recommends that its users have several applications for communication, since it is always important to stay in touch with relatives and friends, and emphasizes that it is necessary to pay attention to safety applications and their capabilities for protection confidential communication.

"It is important to stay in touch at all times, and recent events have demonstrated this once again. Keep in mind that users are not limited in the choice of applications for communication and can always find the safest, most sustainable solution for themselves. We are pleased that hundreds of millions of users around the world are choosing Viber, and offer additional capabilities and features for communication, " commented by Anna Znamenskaya, Global Development Director, Rakuten Viber.

2018: Daily and Monthly Audience

2017

As of 2017, Viber is regularly used by more than 800 million users in 193 countries.

2015

In August 2015, the number of Viber users in the world reached 600 million, in October of the same year the number of users in Russia amounted to 50 million.

2022: One-on-one Chat Reactions

On January 4, 2022, Viber announced the launch of a feature for convenient communication: one-on-one chat reactions. Before the New Year, the function became available to all users in Russia. Viber also recalled other functions for communication.

Reactions in chats 1-on-1

Everyone who communicates in group chats in Viber is already used to the opportunity to put a reaction to any message. Now in any personal chat, Viber users will be able to click on the icon with the image of the heart next to the message and choose the appropriate emotion that reflects their attitude. Previously, reactions were available only in group chats and Viber communities.

The convenience of this feature is that sometimes there is no time or need to respond to a message. And with reactions, it is easy and quick to demonstrate to the interlocutor that his message has been read, and to share his attitude to what he has read.

Reactions in Group Chats and Communities

The reaction feature is available to Viber users and in group chats and communities. Thanks to them, community members can express their opinions and respond to posts that have attracted their attention. This is an easy way to track reactions in a community with dozens, hundreds, or even millions of participants. The feature has been available in Viber for more than a year.

Surveys and quizzes

The survey is another Viber feature for communication, which allows you to find out the opinion of members of the group or community in the messenger. To create a survey in Viber, just click the three-point sign next to the message input window, and then click Create Survey.

To bring interactivity to the vote or test the knowledge of their users in a group chat or Viber community, quizzes are also available in the messenger. Participants answer questions and immediately see whether they have chosen the correct answer, and why. In order to make a quiz in Viber, it is enough to select "Quiz Mode" in the window for creating a survey.

Translating messages

In the messenger, the built-in translator of messages inside the chat rooms has long been available. Thanks to this feature, users do not need to go to other applications or sites - you can translate any message in the correspondence window.

With the function of translating messages to Viber, communication in any language is easier and faster. In order to translate any message in the chat, you just need to click on the message and hold it. Then, in the opened window, select "Translate": and the text in Russian or the selected language will immediately appear under the original message. The language is easy to change in the settings.

Ability to edit and format messages

Viber users can change anything in an already sent message: in both personal and group chats. If a typo has occurred, some words have been AutoCorrect, or you need to correct the thought - you do not need to delete the entire message and write a new one. In Viber you can edit it. To do this, click the text you sent and select Edit. After making edits, you only need to confirm the correction with a lilac button with a tick. The chat will show that this message has been changed.

In the spring of 2021, it became possible to format text messages in Viber. Users can use different fonts: bold, italic, sparse, underline, or strikethrough. To do this is simple: first select the text or a separate word and select the required format in the pop-up window.

2021

12% increase in chat bots

On January 27, 2022, Viber summed up the results of 2021 and told what functions of the messenger for business helped Russian and world brands optimize their communication strategy with customers. Viber also shares the number of new official business accounts, statistics on the use of chat bots by brands, an increase in the number of business messages delivered and dialogues with customers in the application.

Last year, according to the information company, Russia the number of dialogues between brands and customers increased by 50%, the number of chat bots increased by 12%. Russian companies in areas, and formations finance retail used advertizing in the messenger.

Companies are increasingly interested in various Viber business solutions to interact with users at different stages of the marketing funnel. As of January 27, 2022, according to the company, more than 8,500 brands around the world use Viber solutions for communicating with their customers and marketing in instant messengers.

According to Viber, in 2021 in Russia:

• The number of chat bots has grown on 12%: they allow brands to automatically respond to user requests in real time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - and all this without hiring additional employees.
• The number of new official business accounts in Viber increased by 20% - and worldwide the number of people wishing to communicate with their users through Viber business messages increased by 55%.
• The number of Viber business messages delivered increased by 82%, while the number of dialog messages (user correspondence with the brand) increased by 50%. These data correspond to the trend for two-way communication between brands and users. More and more companies are aware of the value of an established dialogue with customers to help them choose products, process orders, provide customer support, receive feedback, and, in general, improve customer experience.

In addition, businesses can use Viber advertising solutions to increase brand awareness among users and attract an audience. In 2021, the volume of advertising shows in Viber worldwide increased by 70% - this indicator reflects the interest of advertisers in the application. The most noticeable growth in advertising in Viber was observed in the subject of health and fitness - by 90%, energy - by 56%, as well as transport - by 51%. In Russia, education (+ 223%), finance (+ 202%) and retail trade, including e-commerce (+ 282%), became fairly fast-growing areas. Viber is developing advertising categories - for example, recruitment and local entrepreneurship - which corresponds to the impact of the pandemic on business and the labor market around the world.

One of the significant Viber updates in 2021 is augmented reality masks and filters based on Snap Inc technology, a global manufacturer in the field of AR masks and the developer of the Snapchat application. In the first month, 2.8 million users from Russia tested the function. Messenger partners and brands can also replenish the mask library in Viber with their exclusive content in order to even more creatively approach increasing recognition and native interaction with users.

"One of Viber's strategic tasks is to become an application that simultaneously provides services that are useful to the user, and at the same time creates opportunities for comfortable interaction between brands and customers in a familiar environment for them. We constantly optimize our business solutions so that brands and users can communicate seamlessly at every stage of the user path. The above figures once again prove that we are developing the application in the right direction - both users and brands are increasingly using Viber in everyday communication and life, " notes Christina Constandake, commercial director of Rakuten Viber.

In 2021, Viber turned 11 years old. Also in 2021, the messenger exceeded the mark of a billion downloads worldwide in the Google Play store.

Use of Viber by Russians in 2021

January 13, 2022 messenger Viber summed up the results of 2021 and shared statistics on the use of the application last year. It turned out how many times Russians they called, sent messages to Viber, and also used chat bots launched messenger functions, such as masks. augmented reality

According to Viber, in Russia in 2021, messenger users made about 4 billion calls. Most of all, the Russians called and wrote to each other on New Year's Eve and March 8 to congratulate their loved ones. During the year, on average, Russians sent more than 2,600 text messages to Viber every second.

The preference among Russians was used by communities and chat bots in Viber. Compared to 2020, according to the information company, the number of communities increased by 10%, and the number chat bots increased by 12%.

An important event in 2021 was the launch of AR masks and augmented reality filters inside the Viber application. The masks are based on the technology of Snap Inc, a global manufacturer of AR masks and the developer of the Snapchat application. For the first month, according to the company, 2.8 million users from Russia took advantage of the function. Since the release of Viber Masks, Russians have used AR masks and filters to create pictures, videos and GIF animations more than 11 million times.

"In this difficult year, when many of us had to minimize personal communications due to the pandemic, Viber revived correspondence in the messenger and made communication even more interesting. People want to communicate online and choose different formats: whether it is congratulating a friend in the image of a tiger or video admission to relatives in Russian national costumes - all this has become possible, for example, thanks to the function of AR masks. In 2022, we will continue to implement even more interesting and useful functions for communication, " notes Anna Znamenskaya, Global Development Director, Rakuten Viber.

Augmented Reality Masks feature

On October 11, 2021, Viber announced that Rakuten Viber launched augmented reality masks for users in Russia in the messenger. AR filters and masks are based on the technology of Snap Inc, a global manufacturer of AR masks and the developer of the Snapchat application. They will allow you to shoot photos and videos with an augmented reality effect, send them to friends and friends right in the Viber messenger or save them to mobile devices.

The feature will make communication, selfies and video messages in the messenger even more interesting and will provide users with more opportunities for creativity.

AR masks respond to facial expressions of a person: when shooting photos and videos, you can smile or wink, and the mask will repeat facial movements.

Dozens of AR masks with a variety of effects are available in Viber: animal masks, beauty, augmented reality filters. Masks with elements of national costumes were released specifically for users from Russia in Viber. According to the information company, by the end of 2021, hundreds more filters and masks will appear in the messenger. Castomized Bitmoji avatars will also appear.

In addition to funny AR masks and filters, Viber has a number of other useful and exciting features, including augmented reality technologies that transform the world on the smartphone screen, beauty filters with makeup and hairstyles.

"The appearance of augmented reality masks was a logical step for us. This is a kind of example of the evolution of communication: first, Internet users communicated using emoticons, then stickers, emojis and the ability to create gif appeared, and now - AR masks. The partnership of Viber and Snap was a long-awaited event for our companies. Now users around the world, including in Russia, will be able to diversify virtual communication thanks to augmented reality technologies, take creative selfies and much more, " noted Anna Migal, Senior Business Development Director Rakuten Viber in. countries CIS

Messenger partners and brands will also be able to replenish the mask library with their exclusive content. The World Wildlife Fund and the World Health Organization (WHO) have already launched their own branded masks. Over time, masks created by Russian companies will appear in Viber.

Augmented Reality Masks is available in the Viber app for Android and iOS.

To use AR filters and masks, click on the camera icon on the bottom panel in the open chat window - to create photos, videos or gif with the effect of augmented reality.

Disappearing Messages in Group Chat

On October 7, 2021, Viber announced the launch of the disappearing messages feature in group chats. Previously, this feature was available in the messenger only for personal chats.

With this add-on, Viber users can configure messages to disappear in group chat 10 seconds, one minute, one hour, or one day after the message is read. On devices OC Android with version 6 and later in Viber, when using the disappearing message feature, you do not allow forwarding, copying, and creating screenshots by default. Users iOS of earlier versions of Android will automatically receive notifications if one of the participants in the correspondence takes a screenshot of their disappearing message in a group chat. You can apply this feature to any type of message, including photos and stickers.

For example, when organizing a home party, you can send friends code from a doorphone directly in a group chat in Viber and enable the feature of disappearing messages with a timer for 1 minute. The message will disappear a minute after users read it.

Viber personal and group chats are protected by end-to-end encryption, so users can be sure that their communication remains confidential and secure.

"We are pleased to present to all Viber users the opportunity to further protect their communication with other people. The security of our users has been our main priority for many years, this confirms the presence of end-to-end encryption, which is used in Viber by default. With this addition, protecting the privacy of our users becomes even more personalized, " noted Nadav Melnik, vice president of product at Rakuten Viber.

Extra Call Protection

On September 8, 2021, Viber introduced a tool that is designed to protect messenger users in Russia from calls from fraudsters. In the messenger, the "Protection against unnecessary calls" function appeared, when activated, the user will not receive notifications of calls from numbers not included in his list of contacts.

The feature is available in the latest version of Viber for all users with Russian mobile phone numbers. To activate the feature, open the "More" section, enter the "Settings" tab, then select "Calls and messages" and turn on the toggle switch next to "Protection against unnecessary calls." After that, the user will not receive incoming video and audio calls from unknown contacts. Information about these calls will be stored only in the chat list as "Missed Call," as well as in the "Recent Calls" section. So, users will not miss anything important and will be able to call back if necessary.

"Against the background of increasing cases of fraud through instant messengers in Russia, we want to allow our users to protect themselves from communicating with unknown contacts. At the same time, the function is not turned on by default, and the user himself decides whether he wants to completely prohibit calls from strangers to him in Viber or leave such an opportunity, "- noted Anna Migal, Senior Development Director Rakuten Viber in. countries CIS

As of September 8, 2021, the "Extra Call Protection" feature is available on Android and iOS devices, as well as on the computer version of the application.

Block 4,000 fraudulent accounts

Since the beginning of the summer of 2021, about 4,000 accounts with signs of fraud have been blocked on the side of Viber in Russia. Users complained about them. Attackers are increasingly using social networks, platforms and instant messengers to contact their users. The company announced this on July 14, 2021.

Most often, fraudsters write or call users after posting ads on services, as well as from fake accounts of various organizations or banks and are represented by their employees. In the process of communication, attackers, under various pretexts, try to find out from users the data of their bank cards or send a fake link for payment.

Viber recalls that interlocutors in instant messengers can categorically not transmit:

• data of the card: number, validity period, CVV-code;
• any PIN;
• login and password from Internet banking;
• 3D Secure password
• SMS password.

In no case should you disclose the data of your bank card, whoever your interlocutor appears to be: an employee of the bank or a representative of any other organizations. Such communication should be stopped and call the number indicated on the official website of the bank or organization or on the back of your bank card.

Each Viber user can mark the fraudster's phone number as "Spam" in Viber:

• You must open a dialog box with this user.
• Because the sender is not on your contact list, the app immediately prompts you to "Add to Contacts," mark "This is spam" or "Block";
• To block a user, you can choose either of two options: "This is spam" or "Block," his account will be blocked in both cases. With a certain number of user notes that the account is engaged in spam mailings or calls, this user will be blocked in Viber and will not be able to bother anyone else in the messenger.

You can also send information about a fake account to Viber support. To do this:

• take screenshots of the phone number from which the attacker contacted Viber;
• go to the site help.viber.com/ru/contact
• fill in the feedback form in the opened window, talking about the problem and attaching a screen.

Viber aims to provide users with opportunities for convenient and safe communication wherever they are. All Viber chats are protected by end-to-end encryption by default. This method of transmitting data implies that only participants in the conversation have access to content. Encryption keys are stored on users' phones and no one else can access them. Viber also does not store content on its servers: all messages are deleted after delivery to the addressee. Rakuten Viber constantly improves internal mechanisms and tools for user protection.

Ability to send reminders

The Viber messenger on July 13, 2021 introduced features that will help users remember important things and planned meetings. You can now add chats with other users or companies in Viber to your favorites by docking them at the top of the screen for quick and easy access, and link reminders to notes and lists in the My Notes chat.

The ability to add important or frequently used chats to your favorites is helpful to anyone who needs to save time and always have access to what they need. information To use the feature, users Android must press and hold the chat, and then select Pin Chat. On iOS , make a swipe to the left of the chat and select Pin. In the Viber PC app, you need to right-click the chat and then click Add to Favorites.

The same functionality is now available for business messages that companies send to Viber users who subscribe to receiving notifications through the messenger. To always have quick access to the desired message with recording details or proof of reservation, users can pin the selected message inside a business chat with the company or pin the chat itself (the entire chain) at the top of the business chat folder or transfer it to the main chat screen.

Reminders for entries and lists in "My Notes" in Viber will be useful to remember the birthdays of friends and loved ones, plans, necessary purchases and other things. To add a reminder, just click any note and choose Create Reminder.

Comparison of functionality with other instant messengers

Add community and video call statistics for up to 30 people

The Viber messenger on May 28, 2021 introduced a number of updates for users and businesses. With them, administrators will be able to analyze the audience of communities, and users can communicate with a large number of participants in group video calls.

Community statistics. The more administrators know about the interaction of the target audience with the content of their community, the easier it is for them to make it more interesting and useful. With updated tools for analyzing statistics, community administrators can use understandable tables and graphs to track user engagement settings such as views, clicks, and the number of forwarded messages.

On Android-based devices, statistics are available in Community Information. On the iOS, you can go to the desired section by clicking on the community name.

Viewing statistics is available only to administrators of those communities that can be found in the internal search engine of the messenger.

Aliases for administrators. Previously, Viber users, when viewing communities, saw over the posts those names under which administrators and super-admits were registered in the messenger. The same applied to avatars - the main images of communities were displayed only in their descriptions. Administrators posted all posts on their own behalf. In order to post publications on behalf of a publication or company, you had to change your own account settings. Now this is not necessary - administrators and super-admirals of communities can choose any name and photo that ordinary participants will see.

Group video calls for 30 people. One of Viber's most popular features is group video calls. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, they have become much more often used, in connection with which the messenger decided to expand the number of possible participants in group video calls to 20 at first, and now to 30 people at the same time. This feature has now become available around the world and, in particular, in Russia. This number of participants is suitable for the convocation of working teams and corresponds to the average number of educational classes, and therefore the functionality is excellent for various educational purposes (including classes in schools, universities, numerous circles and sections).

Send photos and videos to brands in business chats. This function can safely be called one of the most useful, since it will help customers maintain communication with companies and solve emerging issues. For example, send a photo of a document for authentication or video explaining the difficulties that people have encountered when using the item. This feature supports sending all the most common formats of photos, videos, documents, as well as GIF files. To send a file to a business chat with a brand, the user needs to select a file from the gallery or shoot it on an internal Viber camera. Functionality is available for users who have updated the application.

2020

Key Updates for Users and Businesses

March 22, 2021 it became known that Viber summed up the results of key updates for users and businesses.

As reported, the Viber messenger presented users and business with a number of updates for existing functions. These included:

• Formatting text. Text messages in Viber have become more expressive due to the increased ability to format them. Thus, users can use various fonts: bold, italic, sparse, underline or strikethrough. It is easy to do this: first, the desired text or a separate word is highlighted and the desired format is selected in the pop-up window.

• Sort the gallery by chat and media type. Thanks to the ability to view the Viber gallery by individual chat rooms or by type of content (images, videos, GIFs, etc.).

• Notification that the microphone is turned off in the PC version. If the user calls someone using the Viber version for computers, then in the background the application will show when the microphone is turned off. This allows you to quickly turn it on at the right time without opening the application itself.

Also in the near future, the function is expected to be released:

• Display multiple video chat participants on a single screen. In 2020, the popularity of video chats increased sharply, and this communication format continues to be widespread. Thanks to the format of displaying group video chat participants, users will be able to see several friends and colleagues at the same time so that communication is more "lively."

Since 2020 showed an active increase in user interaction with brands through Viber, the messenger also introduced a number of updates for the business. Opportunities for companies help optimize customer experience. So, among the latest Viber business updates:

• Pin Business Messages. Now users can pin not only important messages and correspondence with friends at the top of the screen, but also the folder of business messages in the general list of chats. Inside the Business Chats folder, you can pull up a specific brand. Similarly, you can pin the selected brand to the top in a common chat list. Thanks to the updated functionality, it will be easier for users to find important messages from companies, for example, the invoice number for receiving the package or the results of analyses from the laboratory.
• File sharing between businesses and users. The feature allows enterprise customers and Viber users to exchange different types of documents directly in the application. Checks for the purchase and payment of goods, bank bill statements, warranty documents and more - all this brands will be able to send to their customers in the messenger without the need to go to another application and additionally request. e-mail The feature is also available to users in communication with companies through two-way Viber business messages. For example, if you have questions about installing a purchased item, the buyer can contact the company by attaching the necessary photos, videos, or a file with instructions to help resolve the issue. The function supports different types of documents (.doc,.pdf,.xls, txt,.eps, etc.). The only limit for March 2021 is that the file should not exceed 25 MB. All documents shared by companies and users are protected by default end-to-end enciphering - Viber does not have access to the documents information transmitted in messages and files.

Growth in the number of business profiles by 58% in the world and by 10% in Russia

On January 25, 2021, Viber announced the results of 2020, named key marketing trends and shared internal analytics of brand communication with its audience in the messenger.

For business, Viber offers messaging solutions (chat bots, business messaging), branded stickers, and media advertising. Messages are transactional (for example, order confirmation or delivery of an item), promos (messages with a special offer or promotion), as well as bilateral dialogue sessions (customer support, feedback, ordering).

The spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and accompanying restrictive measures have forced organizations to more actively switch to digital promotion tools. All this led to an increase in the number of companies that use Viber for business purposes.

In 2020, Viber brands around the world began to send more transactional messages to users than promos. The total number of sent transactional messages in the messenger in 2020 increased by 37% compared to the same figure in 2019. The trend is repeated in Russia. Russian companies also began to use transactional messages more often - there were 15% more such mailings. Having passed tests in the laboratory, now you do not need to go for the result - he will be sent using a message to Viber. Similarly, a notification will come about the status of the food order, the time of delivery of online goods, a reminder of the entry to the veterinarian, etc.

Changes have also occurred in the communication models that brands use when communicating with their audience. In 2020, companies began to become more aware of the value of online communications with customers. And messengers - as platforms for interactive interaction between business and the audience - helped companies focus on dialogue with customers. The interest in communicating with the consumer in the messenger and the desire to provide them with the best customer experience led to an increase in the number of brands that created their own business profiles and directly bought advertising in Viber. So, in 2020, the number of business profiles in Viber increased by 58% in the world and, in particular, by 10% in Russia. And brands turned to direct advertising in the messenger in the world and in Russia by 115% and 53% more often, respectively.

In 2020, Viber in the world saw a sharp increase in the number of advertising in such segments as food delivery (+ 174%), social media (+ 244%) and mobile games (+ 122%). The least advertising in the messenger in 2020 was attracted by the tourism industry, the automotive industry and FMCG - these industries most felt the restrictions caused by the pandemic, and as a result, showed a drop in advertising demand.

Also, significant growth was observed in 2020 chat bots - their popularity worldwide increased by 48%, and in Russia this figure reached 36%. Organizations prefer to pass on simple tasks to virtual assistants and thus free up time for processes that require more involvement. Customers, in turn, appreciate the speed and high quality of service that companies manage to achieve through the use of bots.

The marketing trends and figures of the business direction of the company described above are supported by the active use of Viber by users. So, according to the analytical company App Annie, Viber in Russia for the fourth year in a row entered the top five most popular applications of 2020.

Vulnerability CVE-2020-8913

Check Point Software Technologies researchers confirmed that applications in the Google Play Store are still exposed to the known vulnerability of CVE-2020-8913 - which means that hundreds of millions of Android users are at significant risk. This became known on December 4, 2020.

Among these applications was the Viber product. More details here.

Birthday reminders, correspondence requests, display for group video calls

On November 26, 2020, Viber announced the results of the fall of 2020.

According to the company, during the fall, Viber presented users with a number of updates for existing features, and also announced changes that will take effect in 2021. In particular, the following appeared in the messenger:

• Birthday reminders. This feature works if the birthday name is saved in the contact list on the user's phone. A reminder of the holiday will appear above the list of chats with a proposal to congratulate the culprit of the celebration. You can send an animated congratulations using the "Congratulations" button in the chat.
• Correspondence requests. Messages from unknown contacts now automatically go to the Inbox where they are stored until the user decides to delete them or marks them as trustworthy. So, invitations to communities and group chats from strangers fall into the folder with requests for correspondence. The filter works automatically. Such mechanics have already been implemented with business messages from companies - Viber provides for them a folder "Business chats."
• Reminders in My Notes. Unlike reminders that are installed in the smartphone calendar, reminders in My Notes are not tied to a specific device and will be available to the user also on the Viber PC version. To create them, it is enough to go to the "My Notes" section (in fact, it is a chat with yourself), enter the desired message, and then select the "Create reminder" option in its settings, set the desired date, time, and, if necessary, repeat parameters.
• Creating "boomerangs." A GIF image editor was already available to Viber users. In recent updates, he received the "reverse" and "boomerang" formats, which are designed to make correspondence with friends even more interesting and fun.
• Pinned messages in 1-on-1 chats. You no longer need to list correspondence in search of the necessary message from the interlocutor. It became possible to pin important information at the top of the screen not only in group chats, but also in correspondence 1 to 1. To do this, right-click the message or select it with a long click in the mobile version of Viber, and then select the "pin" function.
• Display for group video calls. In the spring of 2020, Viber announced the launch of group video calls to 20 people at the same time. In the fall, the messenger made group calls even more comfortable: now not only the speaker, but also other participants in the meeting are displayed on the screen.
• Sort the gallery. With this feature, it has become more convenient to organize all the files that users send in Viber chats. Files can now be viewed by audio, GIF, etc. So far, the feature is available only on Android, but will soon appear for users iOS.

The company also announced the launch of fintech services and the launch of the Chat Bots Payments feature. Viber users will be able to use the application to buy goods and services by making payments through Google Pay or another payment system available on the device. The function has already been launched in Ukraine, and in early 2021 Viber plans to launch payments in other markets, including in Russia.

Start payments in chat bots

On October 28, 2020, the company Rakuten Viber announced the launch of - fintech services and launches the Chat Bots Chatbot Payments feature. Now Viber users will be able to use application to buy goods and services by making payments through or Google Pay other payment system available on the device.

Viber decided not to limit itself to the functions of the messenger, but to build a service platform that meets all the needs of modern users for functionality and security. The first country where the function will be launched will be Ukraine, and in early 2021 Viber plans to launch payments in other markets, including in Russia.

As messengers and social networks grow and develop, users are increasingly paying attention to the additional features and capabilities of services. There are not enough familiar stickers, GIF animations and video calls. The audience is growing interest in various payment options within instant messengers. Back in 2017, 64% of millennials showed interest in P2P solutions in messaging applications. In 2020, the pandemic increased the need for such functionality. Viber, understanding this, announces a decision to go towards the development of payment services on its platform, paying special attention to preserving user privacy.

The feature allows you to safely buy goods and services directly from sellers in their authorized chat bots in Viber. The user needs to add their credit or debit card to their Google Pay account or other mobile payment system if their bank supports one of these services, after which the payment option will be available in all chat bots based on the Viber software interface (API).

The mechanics on the part of the business are as follows: the seller or company wishing to accept payments in Viber must connect to the service provider supporting this type of payment, create a chat bot in Viber and allow payments.

Viber Chat Bots Platform:

• Understandable for business: The Chat Bots Payment feature is an easy way for any small, medium or large business to use Viber as one of the sales channels.
• Scalable: Quickly market in any country where mobile phone payments are available.
• Convenient for users: the function "Payments in chat bots" allows you to make purchases, pay for services that they use (for example, bills for utilities, delivery, transport, etc.) in several clicks directly in the messenger.
• Secure: all confidential payment information is encrypted and not transmitted to chat bots, Viber or third parties.

Viber works with proven chat bots development partners and payment service providers to make the new feature available to millions of messenger users around the world.

We are very pleased that Viber is developing not only as a messenger, but also as a comprehensive platform that meets modern market requirements. By launching services, we primarily focus on the needs of users, the confidentiality of their data and security. The priority for us as part of the launch of the "Chat Bots Payments" feature is to provide users with the opportunity to easily and securely make payments in Viber, - commented Jamel Agaua, CEO of Rakuten Viber

Run appointment reminder in My Notes chat for Android

On October 12, 2020, Viber introduced a tool that will allow users to create reminders of meetings and other important tasks in the My Notes chat.

In a world where the pace of life is constantly accelerating and work schedules are becoming increasingly chaotic due to the pandemic, reminders and lists are becoming critical to maintaining control over affairs. You need to remember birthdays, the time of online exams, video conferences and much more. This Viber feature allows you to store a list of tasks directly in the messenger.

To use the tool, click any message in My Notes and select Set Reminder. After that, the user needs to determine the time and date of the prompt from the messenger, as well as the relevance of its repetition.

The feature complements other features of the My Notes chat. Among them:

• Create notes and lists in them;
• Mark cases as "completed" and hide solved tasks;
• Forward messages from other chats to My Notes. Forwarded posts display a source that makes it easier to remember their context.

{{quote 'We spend a lot of time online and work remotely, productivity issues have become especially acute. We all want to maintain control over our lives and adapt quickly to a reality that can change at any moment. In response, Viber presents a feature that will add a reminder option for important tasks, calls, or other cases. This combines everything you need in one convenient application: text messages, calls, business lists and reminders for them, which will allow you to solve daily tasks even more effectively, "commented Anna Znamenskaya, Director of Global Development at Rakuten Viber. }}

In Russia, the function was released for Android users, the release of the function on iOS is expected in the near future.

Start the Respond feature

On September 10, 2020, Viber announced the launch of the Respond feature in communities and group chats. It will allow users to "like" content in a different way and add emotions to the simplest actions.

To respond to the post, the user needs to pinch the heart icon next to any message and choose one of the emotion options: "like," "ha-ha," "shock," "sadness" or "anger." A large range of reactions allows you to express an opinion about any published content, and the sender can see what responses his record collected. To do this, he needs to click on the message and select the "Information" option.

Companies should listen to the audience and provide it with the product it wants. If in the past it was enough for users to simply put 'like' to convey their own feelings, now they are striving for greater freedom of expression. Additional reactions in Viber allow you to demonstrate a variety of moods: anger, joy, surprise and so on. Thanks to the expansion of this function, communication in the messenger will become even easier and brighter than before, "said Anna Migal, Director of Business Development at Rakuten Viber.

The Respond feature is available in Viber for iOS, Android, and PC versions.

Viber Chat Quiz Availability

Viber on September 2, 2020 introduced the quiz feature. Quiz, or "quiz" (from the English Quiz), is a popular type of survey for users. Quiz participants are asked to answer one or more questions and then see if they have made the correct decision.

To create a new quiz in Viber, click the Polls icon next to the message entry field, then select Quiz Mode, enter the question itself, answer options, and, if desired, explain them. It will appear on the screen after the user makes a selection. One of the answers should be marked as correct. After selecting the correct answer, a green icon appears next to the item, if the user is mistaken, red.

This tool will be useful not only for entertainment, but also for study. Using interactive quizzes, users can create test and test tests. In addition, in addition to the quiz function, Viber has a wide range of functions for communication: communities with unlimited number of participants, audio and video calls, standard surveys and much more.

Chatbot availability with AI for quick job search RaBotik

The service "Работа.ру" launched a chat bot with artificial intelligence technology for a quick search for work. The bot, which was called RaBotik, already helps users in the Viber communication application. According to a recent study by Работы.ру and Viber, every tenth resident of Russia (11%) prefers to look for the best job offers in instant messengers. More details here.

Launch additional anti-spam tools

On August 12, 2020, Viber announced the launch of several tools to combat spam and ensure user safety. The changes also affected the search function: it will be protected by additional privacy measures.

The world is changing, and messaging apps are playing an increasingly important role in people's lives. Users are constantly looking for ways to expand their contacts, while remaining protected from spam and overloads with unnecessary information. Communication between people on the Internet should be private and safe.

Viber users will have the opportunity to configure who can invite them to communities or group chats: all users or only saved and familiar contacts. To set this privacy setting, you must go to "More," from there - to "Settings," then select "Privacy," then - "Groups," and in "Management" set the necessary restrictions.

In addition, all notifications from communities and invitations to group chat from unknown senders will automatically go to a special folder with new messages. This helps protect the primary chat list from unwanted requests.

Will appear in Viber and the ability to search for people. If you enter a user name in the search bar, the name along with the profile photo appears in the check out results. In accordance with Viber's security policy, all chats initiated in this way will be subject to additional privacy measures, namely:

• Users' phone numbers will be hidden until they decide to share them themselves;
• The presence status of the user (online/offline) will be hidden;
• Voice and video calls are disabled.

Users who do not want other people to find them using the search function should simply prohibit this possibility in the settings. To do this, go to "More," from there - to "Settings," then - to "Privacy," where you need to change the option "Allow users to find you by your name."

The search function, as well as a special folder for inbound from unknown senders, will be tested in some countries, after which they will be implemented at the global level.

It is certainly important for users to expand their contacts and get acquainted with new people, but this process also has the opposite side - protecting personal space from spam. For the sake of this, we are tirelessly working to find optimal solutions like those that we are launching in the near future. They empower our audience while preserving the security and confidentiality of their data, - noted Ofir Eyal, chief operating officer of Viber

Express Checkout Availability TalkBank

On August 10, 2020, the company TalkBank announced the launch of an instant transfer service by phone number in instant messengers.

According to the company, the fast payment system TalkBank for August 2020 is available to users of five messengers: WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber, Vkontakte, Facebook. You can make translations even with the help of Alice's voice assistant. More details here.

Plans to launch the Respond feature in Viber communities

On July 17, 2020, Viber announced the imminent launch of the Respond feature in communities. It will allow users to "like" content in a new way and add emotions to the simplest actions.

To respond to the post, the user will just clamp the heart icon next to any message and choose one of the emotion options: "like," "ha-ha," "shock," "sadness" or "anger." A wide range of reactions will allow you to express an opinion about any content published in the community, and the sender will be able to see what responses his record has collected. To do this, he will need to click on the message and select the "Information" option, after which he will see all the opinions left.

In 2020, Viber communities are at the peak of popularity. Since the beginning of the year, in thousands of communities in the application: from those created by ordinary users to official accounts of celebrities, brands and companies - there are more than 18 billion views. Communities have become a new social platform for a billion registered Viber users.

The Respond feature will be available in Viber for iOS and Android in the next few weeks.

The company expects the audience to respond positively to the update. The announcement of the function took place on the eve of World Emoji Day, on the eve of which Viber found out the attitude of its Russian-speaking users to this way of expressing emotions.

The survey conducted by the company involved more than 20,000 people, of which 80% constantly use emojis. In general, users perceive them positively: 45% called emojis an opportunity to diversify communication and make it brighter, 23% consider them a direct way of expressing emotions, and 3% - a new punctuation sign, which gradually strengthens its position. 29% could not give an unambiguous answer and chose all of the above. As a result, 89% are very positive about the fact that someone sends them emojis as an answer in personal correspondence. In business communication, everything depends on the situation - so 49% of users believe.

64% of respondents love both standard emoticons and situational ones like the palm, fire or bachelor's hat badge. 27% prefer classics and usually use a standard set of emoticons. Those who most often send situational emojis turned out to be 9%.

The question of whether users assign personal emojis to their contacts divided the audience into two camps. 54% said they did not do this, and 23% admitted that they like to add uniqueness to contacts. 24% of respondents put emojis only on contacts of nearby people. At the same time, sometimes the existing layout of emoticons is not enough for users: 35% of those who took part in the survey said that they download applications that allow you to get new unique emojis, and 30% like to solve the rebuses encrypted with emoji.

Stop working with Facebook

July 2, 2020, Rakuten Viber which owns one of the applications for free and safe communication, announced the termination of all business relations Facebook with and joins the global movement# StopHateForProfit. Facebook Connect, Facebook and GIPHY will be removed from SDK the Viber app; also the company stops all advertizing campaigns in. social network

Amid a wave of negative posts that appeared in huge numbers on Facebook, a group of international law enforcement organizations (including ADL and NAACP) launched the# StopHateForProfit campaign. This is a protest against Facebook's inaction on hate ads on the platform. About 200 companies and organizations around the world joined the action, including Microsoft, HP, Unilever, Ford Motor, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Adidas, Reebok, Starbucks and others. Major international brands that previously advertise on Facebook have been suspending advertising campaigns on the social network for a month in protest since early July. Given the numerous cases of data misuse, the infamous history with Cambridge Analytica, during which a political consulting company gained access to the data of about 87 million Facebook users, the platform's inability to control xenophobic statements, Viber advocates the# StopHateForProfit movement and severs all business ties with Facebook.

Facebook continues to show a lack of understanding of its role in the modern world. This company has gone too far: from data security violations and lack of privacy in applications to a completely unacceptable departure from protecting users from violent and xenophobic rhetoric. We do not consider ourselves the arbiter of the truth, but the reality is that some people suffer from the spread of violent content, and companies should take a clear position on this. - commented Jamel Agaua, CEO of Viber.

All actions necessary to terminate Viber's cooperation with Facebook will be implemented in July. Advertising costs on Facebook have been suspended since the end of June.

Starting the Disappearing Messages in Personal Correspondence feature

On June 25, 2020, Viber announced that disappearing messages, already familiar to users of secret chats, have now appeared in regular personal correspondence. Thus, you can communicate with each contact in one place and not start a separate secret chat, when, for example, you need to send a bank card number.

The planned addition of the feature from secret chats to regular correspondence was announced in April, and from June 23 it became available to all Viber users.

"We have made disappearing messages available for personal chats in which Viber users communicate every day. Now, if a person wants the information that they sent to their interlocutor to erase some time after reading, it is enough to set a timer when sending a message, photo or video. If the addressee took a screenshot, the sender will receive a notification of this, "said Anna Migal, senior director of business development at Rakuten Viber.

Ability to create GIF pictures

On June 17, 2020, Viber announced the launch of a feature in its messenger that will allow users to independently create funny GIF files for sending to friends and friends. As the demand for instant messaging grows worldwide, GIF will be a great addition to the recently launched group audio and video calls of up to 20 people and group chats of up to 250 people.

Sometimes it is difficult to guess the tone of the interlocutor by text message. In this case, emoticons come to the rescue, but there is a limit to expressing emotions with the text. The introduced customizable GIF editor from Viber, in addition to the stickers available in the application, is designed to change this by making communication easier and more understandable than ever.

In any chat, Viber users can record a short video on the application camera or select one that already exists from their gallery to then turn it into a looped GIF in boomerang, fast play or reverse (reverse play) mode.

To create a GIF from a video, you must:

• Trim the video by selecting the ideal part for a GIF image.
• Choose the playback mode for GIFs, from boomerang for endless looping to revue, slow, or fast play modes x2 or x4.
• give GIF a unique style using text of various colors and fonts, thematic doodles and labels.

As of June 2020, the feature is available to iOS users . In the near future, the ability to create GIF images will also be available for owners of smartphones based on Android.

Our company aims to give users the opportunity to express themselves in various ways when exchanging instant messages. We in Viber like to say that if you can use emojis to replace a word, then GIFs and stickers can replace a whole sentence. With the GIF editor presented, Viber users will be able to convey their emotions more accurately, doing it in a funny manner, "commented Ophir Eyal, Operations Director of Rakuten Viber.

Availability of group video calls for 20 people

On June 11, 2020, it became known that group video chats with a possible number of participants of up to 20 people appeared in Viber, one of the top 2 applications for communication in Russia. The planned launch of this function was announced in May, and from June 11 it became available in Russia.

Over the past couple of months, the world has been forced to translate almost all communications online, and Viber is making every effort to make such communication as convenient as possible for users.

To start a video call with your family, friends, or colleagues, take three simple steps:

• Click the video icon in the upper-right corner of the screen.
• Select the contacts to connect to the call.
• press the call button.

If you need to connect new members during the conversation, just click the Add button to invite contacts.

During group video calls, the speaker's broadcast is displayed to all participants in the conversation. In addition, if necessary, each participant in the conference can pin a person's video on his or her smartphone screen, as well as turn off his or her sound and/or video and see if others did it.

Online communication has become an integral part of the life of almost every person, especially during a pandemic. Now thanks to the various functions of Viber we can easily keep in touch with friends from other cities and countries, and video calls will allow you to see each other and share emotions in the same way as in a personal meeting, - commented Anna Znamenskaya, Director of Global Business Development at Rakuten Viber

Group video calls are available from June 11 for all users of mobile and PC versions of Viber 10 or newer.

Start group video chats for 20 people

On May 12, 2020, Viber announced the imminent appearance of group video calls of unlimited duration with the participation of up to 20 people (at the first stage of launching the function). Inspired by the success of using group audio calls, Viber expands video communication opportunities to meet the growing demand for video chats that can replace personal meetings with family, friends or colleagues.

Social distancing and gradual adaptation to reality force people to rethink how they interact with each other. Everything needs a platform for online meetings: from business teams of large corporations to chefs conducting culinary master classes and yoga instructors. With group video calls in Viber, people will be able to easily perform all these tasks inside the application, thanks to the ability to broadcast the screen and video conference on different platforms - smartphone or desktop. The Group Video Calling feature perfectly complements other distance communication capabilities of the application, such as groups for 250 people and audio calls for 20 people.

To start group video chat, you must:

• Click the "video" button at the top of the screen or simply invite more participants to the current video call;
• Enjoy communication with friends, family or colleagues.

During group video calls, the speaker's broadcast is displayed to all participants in the conversation. In addition, if necessary, each participant in the conference can pin a person's video on his or her smartphone screen, as well as turn off his or her sound and/or video and see if others did it.

{{quote 'We are pleased that soon our users will be able to make video calls with the participation of up to 20 people, and intend to increase this number in the near future. Viber performs an important task for society, more relevant than ever during the period of the coronavirus epidemic, allowing people to easily communicate with each other. In connection with the pandemic, video chats will play a much larger role in our lives than before, so we are launching functions that unite people even at a distance, "commented Ophir Eyal, Operations Director of Rakuten Viber. }}

Plan to transfer disappearing messages to regular chats

On April 22, 2020, Rakuten Viber, one of the platforms for communication in the world, announced that the function of disappearing messages will soon be transferred from secret chats to ordinary ones. Any Viber user will be able to set a timer for sent text, photos, videos, or other file types for a few seconds, minutes, hours, or even days. Automatic countdown to content elimination will be started as soon as the recipient sees the message.

To create a disappearing message, you must:

• Click the clock icon at the bottom of the chat and select the disappearance period for the message;
• Print the text and send the message to the destination.

Since its inception, Viber has maintained a strict privacy policy. In 2015, the message deletion function appeared, since 2016, end-to-end encryption has been activated in the default application for all calls and messages. Hidden and secret chats were launched in 2017, and now, in 2020, disappearing messages will be transferred to regular chats for even more reliable communication.

We will make disappearing messages available for regular chats with two participants. This feature appeared in Viber in 2017 as part of "secret" correspondence. Over time, we made sure that a similar privacy measure, including sending a notification when an interlocutor screenshots a disappearing message, is better added to regular chats. Thus, we become one step closer to the title of the safest platform for communication, noted Rakuten Viber Operations Director Ofir Eyal

Based on VTB chat bots

April 14, 2020 VTB presented to customers Chat bot on the social platform. messenger Viber Users will be able to consult on bank-wide issues that do not require. identifications More. here

Increase in the number of group calls from January to April by 370%

On April 8, 2020, Viber announced that it had expanded its resource capabilities and introduced a number of initiatives aimed at maintaining positive thinking and interaction between people during the COVID-19 pandemic. The result was a significant increase in the use of Viber worldwide.

According to information, over the past few weeks, user activity in the application has increased many times. The most popular features for April 2020 are group chats and audio calls. As of April 2020, Viber sends 134% more messages in group chats compared to the last week of January, and the number of group calls received by the average Viber user increased by 370%. The average number of post views in communities increased by 78% thanks to initiatives such as helping to disseminate important information about security measures to Viber users during periods of isolation. For example, the official community of стопкоронавирус.рф appeared in the application, to which 3.7 million people signed up for April 2020. In addition, the World Health Organization chat bots were launched in Viber, designed to provide subscribers with up-to-date and truthful information about COVID-19. Also in Viber, communities of regional operational headquarters appear on the situation with coronavirus - as of April 2020, there are already almost 40 in Russia. Thus, Viber users can get relevant information precisely from their region.

Since the outbreak of coronavirus infection:

• The number of daily active Viber users worldwide increased by 18% in March;
• the number of users registering with Viber daily increased by 25%;
• users began to talk longer - the average duration of a call in the application increased by 35% - and send 75% more videos.

We adapt to the latest events of this difficult time to help students and teachers, colleagues and partners, friends and loved ones maintain constant contact with each other. Our users rely on us, and we will continue to work to change their lives for the better, preserving freedom and security of communication. told Jamel Agaua, CEO of Rakuten Viber

Indicators of Viber use in Russia are also growing in all key functions:

• Users began to send 17% more messages to Viber. At the same time, 115% of the transmitted content falls on video messages, 60% on audio and 23% on photos.
• The number of messages sent in group chats increased by 55%.
• The number of audio calls between the two users increased by 23%, and video calls - by 29%. At the same time, their duration increased by 37% (up to seven minutes) and 40% (up to 9 minutes), respectively.
• Group calls increased by 240%.
• The popularity of communities has increased. Now they are viewed by 45% more users. The number of active subscribers increased by 60%, and records now receive 45% more likes.

The audience became more active using Viber after the following changes occurred in the application:

• The maximum possible number of participants in group audio calls increased from 5 to 20 people;
• To disseminate information on the importance of adhering to current health recommendations, Viber sent a message with WHO safety instructions in 22 languages to several million people;
• To disseminate official information about COVID-19, Viber, together with authorized bodies of several countries, has created special communities where users can obtain official and reliable information about the pandemic and preventive measures;
• The service launched a campaign with stickers under the slogan "stay at home" to entertain users in these difficult times.

Increase the number of participants in group audio calls to 10 people

On March 12, 2020, Viber announced that the number of possible participants in group audio calls will double - up to 10 people at a time. The company decided to expand its resource capabilities against the background of the spread of coronavirus and the growing need for users to remain in touch with their colleagues and relatives.

At this difficult time, we strive to provide users with as many ways as possible to stay in touch with whole groups, without being physically in one place. Against the background of the spread of coronavirus, many companies prefer to transfer employees to remote work, and they need a safe and reliable platform for communicating with relatives. In addition, they need the opportunity to work fully from anywhere in the world, notes Ophir Eyal, Operations Director, Rakuten Viber

All personal and group Viber chats, calls, messages, photos and documents are protected by end-to-end encryption. Viber does not store content transmitted in the application on its servers. Decryption keys are stored only on the devices of the users themselves and are not available to Viber employees or third parties.

Appearance of Yandex.Zen tape for users in Russia and Belarus

On March 10, 2020, Yandex announced that the Yandex.Zen tape will appear in all users of the Viber messenger in Russia in the Interesting tab and in Belarus as the main button on the main screen. Viber users will also be able to share publications from Zen in chats and groups.

Communication applications can compete with traditional social networks. People get used to consuming content through instant messengers. They are comfortable with this format, like the manner of submitting information - and as a result, we are seeing a natural increase in the involvement of Viber users. This is great, we plan to further develop content projects for our audience, says Anna Znamenskaya, Viber Global Development Director

Content has become an important part of any mobile ecosystem - we see it in banking services, instant messengers and browsers. Zen's technologies allow you to quickly integrate a content recommendation feed into any applications and thus create additional value for their users, says Dmitry Ivanov, CEO of Yandex.Zen

Zen began testing the integration of content tape into the Viber interface in the summer of 2019. About 1 million users in Russia and Belarus took part in the pilot project. On average, each user spent about 12 minutes in the Zen tape in the messenger, and those involved spent more than 40 minutes a day. This allowed to increase the time in the messenger as a whole.

Yandex.Zen for March 2020 is available on the home page of mobile browserSamsung Internet Russia in Russia and Belarus. And in January 2019, Zen became a recommendation service browser Opera in, and. In Turkey Brazil Indonesia March 2019, Zen was integrated into the browser in. Coc Coc Vietnam

Launch My Notes in beta in Belarus and Israel

On February 5, 2020, Viber announced the launch of the additional My Notes feature. It will help organize events from the most important to the smallest, streamline everyday tasks, and make interaction with users around the world even more effective. The function was launched in beta in Belarus and Israel, and from February 10, 2020 it will gradually be available around the world.

The daily activity of people implies a constant multitasking mode: work, receiving messages, calls, video files - it's quite difficult to track all this at the same time. Therefore, Viber created "My Notes" - a special section in the list of chats where you can record current cases, store photos, reminders and much more. At the beginning of February 2020, the global audience of Viber has more than 1 billion users who send over 7 million messages per minute in the application. "My notes" will allow you to organize daily tasks, making the user experience even more effective.

The solution is designed for daily data exchange and organization of tasks in one communication application. It allows you to:

• Create case lists and mark their execution;
• Save your favorite messages, videos, photos, and stickers in one place;
• Synchronize data with any device (for example, smartphone, computer, tablet);
• Set reminders for important (upcoming) events.

The key priority for us is to make the daily life of Viber users even more convenient, and this "My Notes" feature will just allow us to reach a higher level in achieving our goal. Thanks to the protection of private data and improved user experience, people trust our application. We are pleased to offer them a tool with which you can easily tidy up your thoughts, desires and daily tasks within one platform, noted Ofir Eyal, Operations Director, Rakuten Viber

2019

Business profiles and the ability to add video to business messages

On July 10, 2019, Viber introduced updated business features: pages with information about company profiles, as well as the ability to add video to business messages.

According to the company, soon a business profile of the brand - a kind of "electronic business card" with detailed information about the company - will be "tied" to each Viber business account from which messages are sent to users. Thus, users will be able to find out more information about the brand in one click, which will increase their interest.

The capabilities of familiar business messages will also be expanded. In their mailings, companies will be able to send not only images, but also videos, which will help increase customer engagement and allow them to take a different look at the company.

Business messages allow users to receive relevant information from brands directly in the application. Unlike SMS, business messages are interactive: they can contain text, photos, videos, stickers and many other fascinating content. In addition, the brand pays only for messages received by the user, and not sent without warranty of reading.

Viber was the first messaging application to offer the possibility of information distribution. The company introduced this function in 2016 and has since worked with a limited number of partners to ensure the maximum quality of service and the absence of messages in spam.

As of July 2019, more and more companies note the desire of users to get instant access to customer support and learn brand news as quickly as possible. Business messages are the very information that appears in real time on your device. Such correspondence looks like a regular chat and makes the business closer to people. In addition, in the messaging app, you can contact the company that sent you something and enter into a dialogue. This is a visual illustration of a business with a human face. We have done a lot of work to clear traffic from illegal mailings, so that users can safely get in touch with any companies from which they receive messages. told Kristina Konstandake, CRO Viber

In order to report brand news in a personal format, communities are available to companies that can unite up to 1 billion participants as of July 2019. With branded stickers, business can become part of everyday communication between users and their friends. To provide personalized information on request to the community, you can "link" a chat bot that can respond to user requests. Diplinks and QR codes allow users to start a dialogue with the brand in one click by simply scanning the code, clicking on the link or clicking on the "Contact Us" button on the site.

Viber's business customers also have the ability to tag different types of messages and track them for more efficient ROI measurement.

Updated Viber features for corporate customers will be available in Russia and the CIS countries during the summer of 2019.

Quick responses, visibility of message status, and desktop lock

On June 20, 2019, Viber announced the launch of updates to the messenger.

Viber users for Android and iPhone will receive:

• Quick Answers - Just swipe down the message to send a quick response.
• Message Status Visibility - Displays the delivery, reading, and message set indicators in the chat list.
• Shared groups: Users can see shared with their Viber group contacts, which can be accessed through the information screen in any 1-on-1 chat.

In addition, Viber has updated the version of the service for personal computers:

• Desktop Lock: Users whose computers other people have access to can lock their Viber chats with a password while they are away from the screen.

The implemented changes reflect the company's desire to ensure high confidentiality of user data in addition to full end-to-end encryption, which is installed by default for all personal and group chats.

The update will be available during June 2019.

Viber 10

On February 5, 2019, Viber introduced the Viber 10, an updated version of the messenger.

Additional features of Viber 10 will provide additional protection of personal information and make communication between groups of users even more convenient.

Chat rooms with hidden numbers in Viber allow you to communicate in the messenger without exchanging phone numbers. At the same time, the user can be sure that when communicating with strangers in communities does not put personal data at risk. To start a correspondence, copy the user name from a message in the community or from a list of group members.

Group calls to Viber make it possible to call up with five users at the same time. You can do this by connecting the interlocutor to the current call or making a new one and adding group chat participants to it. As of February 2019, Viber group calls are available only in audio format, but in the future you can create video chats for several users. The number of users that can be added to the group audio call will also increase.

All personal and group chats, chat bots and favorite user communities are available in the main dialog list.

Users can view recent calls, navigate to their contact list, and manage Viber Out calls in one tab.

The updated interface and extended functionality of the messenger, as well as the complete end-to-end encryption of all types of messages and calls, correspond to the policy of 100% protection of personal data of Viber users.

We conducted large-scale testing of the application, so we are convinced that in the presented version of Viber, messenger users around the world will be able to enjoy the simplest and most pleasant communication. The updated version of Viber 10 allows people to easily interact with each other, without worrying about the safety of personal data. We hope that users will appreciate the update. Viber 10 is a significant step in the development of the messenger.

Viber 10 will be available for download in the App Store or Google Play Store in the coming days.

Group Chat Polling Feature

January 15, 2019 it became known that messenger Viber the function of conducting surveys in group chats and communities appeared in. This option provides an additional opportunity to get feedback and interaction in groups, thereby optimizing user communication and allowing them to express their opinion on a specific topic in a quick and convenient way.

Thanks to the added function, all participants in the chat in real time will be able to get the opinion of the interlocutors on any issue, without being confused in countless answers and comments in the history of correspondence.

Group chat participants and community administrators can now create a survey by clicking the survey icon in the chat menu that is available in the latest version of Viber. Then you need to enter the question itself, as well as up to ten possible options for answering the choice. All participants in a group chat or community can vote by clicking on the "like" opposite the option you like. The voting results are updated in real time as a new vote is added.

In group chats, users can see which option each of the participants voted for by clicking on the corresponding answer option, while voting in communities takes place anonymously^[1].

2017

Updating Group Chats

On October 5, 2017, Viber announced the release of a number of changes to its messenger software, including the ability to pin messages in groups, respond to specific posts in groups and mailings that allow you to send one message at the same time to several users in personal chats.

Pinned messages allow group members to set a certain post at the top of the chat to focus everyone on what is important in the conversation. Each of the chat participants can pin any message by pressing and selecting Pin from the drop-down menu. The message will then remain in place until the administrator changes or deletes it.

Other chat changes include the ability to respond to specific messages in a conversation between multiple users without interrupting the natural course of the conversation. After the user clips the message and selects "Reply," the sent message will have a context that clarifies exactly what is answered.

Mailing lists allow you to send a single message privately to a number of contacts. This feature is a convenient alternative to creating multiple groups for the purpose of sending one or two messages. At the same time, the sender saves time by eliminating the need to forward the message to each contact individually. After the distribution list is created and the first message is sent, the list will be stored in the user's chat rooms. Only users whose contacts have a sender will receive messages. For the recipient, the message will look like it was sent to him personally.

Viber users deleted 5 billion messages in 2 years

On September 25, 2017, Viber celebrates the second anniversary of the Delete Sent Messages feature. It was officially introduced in November 2015, and in the fall of 2017, with its help, Viber users deleted 5 billion messages sent.

Accidentally sent messages can be deleted both in personal dialogs and in Viber group chats on all devices of chat participants. The application allows you to delete messages within 2 weeks of sending, even after the destination has read them. The Viber engine monitors whether all messages have been saved in the chat and reports their deletion to both the sender and the recipient. In the near future, the company intends to present expanded functionality for deleting messages.

Viber 6.9.5

Viber introduced in June 2017 the updated Viber app for iOS and Android, which featured voice call forwarding, search for GIF images and stickers, sending links to groups and support for rich notifications. The update will be available to millions of messenger users around the world in the near future.

Viber for Android has the "chat add-ons" feature. Integration with third-party services allows you to find information on other sites and services (for example, GIPHY, YouTube, Spotify, Guggy and others) and exchange content with interlocutors directly in Viber, without leaving the dialog box. To use the function, you just need to click on the search icon in the conversation, which is located next to the camera icon and choose the necessary search service using the rubricator.

Now, to search for GIF images in Viber, you need to click the new button that appears next to the message submission line and type keywords. As a result, you will receive a selection of hyphokes that you can send to friends.

In addition, Android users have become available to search for stickers. In Viber for iOS, such a feature has been available since December 2016, but in the update it has been improved: it has become easier to look for stickers.

Users with a zero Viber Out balance often click on the call button to the mobile through the application. Previously, in such cases, Viber issued a message stating that it was impossible to make a call. Now, if the addressee also has a messenger installed, instead of Viber Out, a voice call through the application will be turned on.

Those Russian users who prefer to make calls to all their contacts, regardless of whether they have Viber, have affordable tariffs for calls in Russia: 11.2 cents (~ 6.39 rubles) per minute for mobile and 2.7 cents (~ 1.55 rubles) per minute for city numbers.

Thanks to the update, you can invite friends to groups in Viber, even if they do not have an application installed - for this, a plus icon appeared on the screen with information about the chat, after clicking it, you can send a link to the chat to a person from the list of contacts. By clicking on the link, the one who has the application installed is automatically added to the group chat, and the new user gets first to the application store, and after installing the messenger - to the group.

Viber users have the opportunity to respond to the notification using a sticker. Previously, this was possible only in the application itself, now in the notification window.

Companies promoting brands using Viber also got additional opportunities: new slots for banners, device language targeting and support for GIF images in service messages became available.

Viber 6.8

At the end of March, Viber announced the availability of a new version of the messenger mobile application for iOS and Android platforms. With Viber 6.8, they will have the opportunity to attach stickers directly to the photos being forwarded.

In the updated application, users also became available a special stickerpack - "Stickers for photos." In it you can find stickers in the form of hats, glasses, moustaches and other funny accessories that will help make each sent photo individual. Over the past year, more than 40 billion stickers have been sent to Viber. The Stickers for Photos collection will open up even more opportunities for a multimillion-dollar audience of applications around the world for fascinating communication and expression.

"Viber

Sticker Collection is one of the biggest on the market. We are very proud of each of them, "said Ofir Eyal, Viber's product director. "Now stickers can be used in the design of photos, which means that our users will have even more opportunities to express themselves in communication with friends."

Today, over 32 thousand stickers are available in the Viber application. At the same time, forwarding photos and sending stickers occupy the second and third places in popularity among all the functions of the service. Using these two tools together will make the user experience in Viber more exciting.

The Russian audience of Viber exceeded 80 million users

In March, Viber announced that in early March 2017, the audience of the application in Russia reached 82 million registered users - about a third of the total number of subscribers of the largest telecom operators in Russia.

During the year in Russia there was a significant increase in the popularity of the Viber application. In September 2016, 70 million residents of the country were registered in Viber, by the end of the year - already 76 million, and on March 2, 2017 this figure exceeded 82 million. In 2017, extremely high rates of growth of the Viber audience in Russia per day were recorded: for example, on February 17, 73 thousand people joined the service, and on February 18 - another 90 thousand.

Most Russian Viber users live in such regions as Moscow and the Moscow Region, St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region, Sverdlovsk Region, Samara Region and Krasnodar Territory.

Over the past six months, Viber users have become more active in the application: they sent 26% more messages in group chats and made almost 40% more video calls, and the number of active users per day increased by 10%. The most popular features of the application were text messages, sending photos and stickers. In addition, more than 66% of active Viber users made calls over the past month, about 28% talked in group chats, and every second sent at least one sticker.

Many Russian companies used the new Viber platform for business - public accounts. One of her most popular opportunities was chat bots. In particular, bots use the Glamour magazine, Tele2 telecom operator, Yandex, etc., to communicate with customers in the application.

User activity surges are traditionally celebrated on holidays - on New Year's Day, Christmas, Old New Year, Baptism, Valentine's Day, February 23, March 8, Easter, May 9 and September 1.

The Viber audience in large cities of Russia is 58% women and 42% men.

And the mobile and desktop version of the messenger are more used by owners of the Android operating system, their number is about 69% of the total number of active users, the share of iOS is 23%. In 89% of cases, the interface of devices through which users in Russia log into Viber is Russian-language.

Viber 6.7

On March 13, 2017, Viber introduced the secret chat feature as part of the upgrade of its application to version 6.7.

This functionality uses end-to-end encryption of text messages and calls, and increases the privacy of communication, serves as an additional means of controlling correspondence. The function of secret chats is useful in cases where it is necessary to take additional security measures in addition to encryption^[2].

In secret chats, you can set a self-destruct timer for all messages sent to the chat. Message forwarding is disabled here. If one of the participants tries to take a screenshot of the correspondence, this feature will either be completely unavailable, or the rest of the participants will immediately receive a message about this in the chat window.

The messenger allows you to simultaneously conduct two chats with one interlocutor or group, while one of the chats is ordinary and the second is secret. Users can find out which of these two chats is secret by the lock icon on the chat icon. Starting a secret chat from an existing regular chat will not lead to the removal or replacement of a regular chat, but will simply create a separate chat.

In regular Viber chats, a self-destruct timer is used for individual messages containing photos or videos. In secret chats, it is possible to apply a self-destruct timer to all messages sent to the chat.

Users can hide their private chats and access them again later with a PIN.

Viber version 6.6 for Android and iOS

Viber announced at the beginning of the year the release of an updated version of the application for Android and iOS. As told CNews in the company, in version 6.6, special attention is paid to new users of the service. As soon as the new contact joins Viber, a chat will appear in the application window of his acquaintances from the smartphone notebook with the text "<имя пользователя>will be glad (a) message from you today." After sending a welcome message, a link will appear to download a special "welcome" stickerpack. Thus, new users will quickly begin to communicate with friends and appreciate all the benefits of Viber.

In Viber 6.6, disappearing messages will be available for iOS: they are automatically deleted after a specified time after viewing. In addition, users will be able to send media files without compression and loss of quality, view the content of the chat not only in the application itself, but also in online notifications iOS 10. Also, interlocutors will be able to send short videos. To create a video message of up to 30 seconds, you need to press and hold the recording button, and to send it - release it.

Owners of devices running Android, in turn, will also be able to send disappearing messages and short videos, as well as "clear the chat," instantly deleting all messages in it, while saving the dialogue itself.

Another innovation of Viber 6.6 is that information about missed calls will be available in the format of short notifications directly in the chat window. In addition, the content of registration screens in the application has been updated. They now contain the new title and subtitle and caption at the bottom of the screen: "By clicking Continue, you agree to the Viber Terms of Use."

In the updated version, an improved algorithm for confirming a telephone number is implemented and it is available to search for information inside the chat and through the list of contacts. Finally, users will be able to invite interlocutors to calls to Viber Out in exchange for free minutes of conversation.

Vulnerability in Viber allowed eavesdropping on other people's conversations

User "Habrahabr" under the pseudonym tambovchanin reported a vulnerability in Viber, which allows you to listen to other people's conversations. The researcher discovered the problem in October last year and notified the messenger support service about it. It seems that the developers first ignored the message, so tambovchanin decided to publicize the details of the problem.

The vulnerability allows you to eavesdrop on someone else's conversation if one of the interlocutors answers an incoming call over a mobile network while communicating via Viber, leaving the other on hold. While on hold, the subscriber must press the "Hold" button twice, and then he will be heard talking to his interlocutor over the mobile network. He himself will not be able to participate in the conversation, but he will be able to overhear someone else's conversation, remaining unnoticed.

According to tambovchanin, until recently the problem affected Viber for Android, and the researcher did not have the opportunity to check its presence in the iOS version. In the January 11 update, the vulnerability has already been fixed, but it may remain relevant for users who have not yet received the patch^[3].

2016: Viber implements end-to-end encryption and allows you to hide chats

Viber Media announced in April 2016 the introduction of end-to-end encryption to protect messages from users of its messenger. In the spring of 2016, more than 700 million people use Viber and soon the update will be available to all users.

Earlier, on April 5, WhatsApp also notified about the implementation of full end-to-end encryption for messaging and file exchange.

End-to-end encryption will not allow outsiders to intercept user calls and messages (whether it be a personal message or a group chat). They promise to complete the development of the update in Viber in two weeks. As soon as this happens, users will see a new icon in the form of a gray lock in the chat interface confirming encryption. Each user will also have their own cryptographic key associated with each individual device.

Viber also announced the possibility of hiding chats from outsiders using the same device. Hidden chats allow users not to show them in the main window of the application. You can only access them by entering a PIN or fingerprint on your iOS device.

At the end of 2016, chat add-ons appeared in the messenger that allow users to access content from services such as YouTube, Spotify, Vice, Booking.com and GIPHY directly in the chat window, eliminating the need to switch between applications.

2015: Viber moved servers to  Russia

On October 19, 2015, it became known that the Viber instant messaging service moved its servers, which store data of Russian users, to the territory of the Russian Federation. Thus, the company complied with the law prohibiting the storage and processing of data of Russians abroad.

"We moved the servers as required by law. In Russia, phone numbers, logins and passwords of users will be stored. We do not store messages, they are on users' devices, "Elena Gracheva, a Moscow representative of Viber Media, told Izvestia

.

Lawyers of Viber Media are sure that  the messengers fall under the  law (entered into force on September 1, 2015), obliging them to post personal data of Russians on servers  in Russia.

According to the newspaper, in 2015 Roskomnadzor will not conduct inspections of Facebook, Twitter, Google and other Internet services for compliance with this law. Inspections will begin in 2016.

According to TNS, in July 2015, the size of the Viber audience in Russia reached 7.1 million mobile users, which makes this messenger the second most popular in Russia after WhatsApp (7.5 million users), which by mid-October 2015 had not yet transferred the data of Russian customers to the Russian Federation.

According to the director of the Russian association electronic kommunikatsiysergeya Plugotarenko, the decision made by administration of Viber concerning transfer of servers to Russia is a consequence of their active development in the Russian market and those prospects which the messenger connects with our country.^[4]

2010

Viber is a smartphone VoIP application released by Igor Shopinnik and Talmon Marco in 2010. The messenger operator is the international company Viber Media, founded by its creators, all shares of which belong to Rakuten. The main office of Viber Media is located in Luxembourg, it has development points in Belarus and Israel.

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