WhatsApp Introduces Enhanced Security Features To Tackle Online Scams
Share this article:
In a significant step towards user protection, WhatsApp has introduced a series of new safety features designed to curb online scams and fraud. The Meta-owned messaging platform revealed these tools as part of its continued effort to make chats safer, especially with the rising threat of cybercriminal activity across both individual and group conversations.
According to WhatsApp, more than 6.8 million scam-related accounts have been proactively banned as part of its crackdown on suspicious activity. The newly launched features are built to alert users when something doesn’t feel right before they even engage.
A key addition is the new group chat safety preview. If you’re added to a group by someone who isn’t saved in your contacts, WhatsApp will now show a security overview screen. This includes information like whether the inviter is a known contact and whether any group members are already in your address book. Importantly, notifications from these unknown groups will remain muted by default unless you choose to stay, helping users avoid spam, phishing, or scam traps.
For individual chats, WhatsApp is also piloting a smart alert system to help users make informed decisions before responding to strangers. This measure targets a growing tactic where scammers initiate conversations on other platforms, then move to WhatsApp to appear more credible. The new warning messages will provide context about unfamiliar senders before a chat starts, urging users to double-check before proceeding.
These updates highlight WhatsApp’s evolving approach to digital safety. While end-to-end encryption remains the core of its privacy model, the app recognises that additional proactive features are necessary to shield users from deceptive threats.
By incorporating these tools directly into the app, WhatsApp aims to reduce scam attempts while ensuring users stay in control of their communication. With scams becoming increasingly complex, such intuitive interventions could play a pivotal role in protecting millions of users worldwide.
According to WhatsApp, more than 6.8 million scam-related accounts have been proactively banned as part of its crackdown on suspicious activity. The newly launched features are built to alert users when something doesn’t feel right before they even engage.
A key addition is the new group chat safety preview. If you’re added to a group by someone who isn’t saved in your contacts, WhatsApp will now show a security overview screen. This includes information like whether the inviter is a known contact and whether any group members are already in your address book. Importantly, notifications from these unknown groups will remain muted by default unless you choose to stay, helping users avoid spam, phishing, or scam traps.
For individual chats, WhatsApp is also piloting a smart alert system to help users make informed decisions before responding to strangers. This measure targets a growing tactic where scammers initiate conversations on other platforms, then move to WhatsApp to appear more credible. The new warning messages will provide context about unfamiliar senders before a chat starts, urging users to double-check before proceeding.
These updates highlight WhatsApp’s evolving approach to digital safety. While end-to-end encryption remains the core of its privacy model, the app recognises that additional proactive features are necessary to shield users from deceptive threats.
By incorporating these tools directly into the app, WhatsApp aims to reduce scam attempts while ensuring users stay in control of their communication. With scams becoming increasingly complex, such intuitive interventions could play a pivotal role in protecting millions of users worldwide.
Next Story