User Story 5 - As a user, I want to know if my messages in a private group chat have been seen and in group chats with more than two people, I want to see the names of those who have read my messages, so that I know the status of the chat

[DachiCharkviani]

As a User, I want to be able to see if anyone has seen my messages in the private group chat. If it is a group chat of more than two people, then I want to see the names who read my messages.

Justification:
The introduction of a "read receipts" feature in group chats will provide transparency, helping users know when their messages have been seen by others. It enhances communication by enabling users to follow up more effectively, knowing who has read their messages and who may need to be prompted for a response. This is particularly important in collaborative group settings, where actions or decisions may depend on whether a message has been seen.
The value of this feature lies in improving the overall flow of communication. Users can quickly check if their messages have been noticed and respond accordingly, improving engagement and collaboration in group discussions. This functionality will foster more efficient teamwork, as it ensures users are kept informed of each other's activity within the chat.

Impact:
The impact of this feature is significant for improving user experience and engagement in group chats. It enhances accountability, allowing users to see if their messages have been acknowledged, especially in group settings where responses are expected after messages are read. This feature also supports smoother communication in important or time-sensitive discussions, reducing misunderstandings and improving group collaboration.

Effort:
The effort involves real-time tracking of read statuses, database updates to log user reads, and UI adjustments to display the information, especially in large group chats. Ensuring that real-time synchronization works efficiently across devices is essential for the smooth functionality of this feature.

Backend:

• Modify the messaging schema to log which users have read each message.
• Implement real-time synchronization to track and update read statuses across all users and devices in the group chat.

Frontend:

• Design and implement UI elements such as checkmarks on icons to display when messages have been read.
• Add functionality to display the names of users who have read the message in larger group chats.

Estimation of time required to do this: 30-40 hours