WhatsApp Introduces New Privacy Feature To Shield User IP Addresses During Calls
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In positive news for WhatsApp users, the Meta-owned instant messaging application has unveiled a new feature that enhances security and privacy by safeguarding your IP address during calls, making it more challenging for malicious attackers to ascertain your location. According to a report from WABetaInfo , a website that monitors WhatsApp updates, this feature allows users to add an extra layer of protection to their calls, shielding their IP address and location from potential threats.
"Thanks to the latest updates of WhatsApp beta for iOS from the TestFlight app and WhatsApp beta for Android from the Google Play Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is rolling out the new privacy call relay feature to some beta testers," the report stated.
The report also revealed the existence of a new section named "Advanced" within the privacy settings screen. This section houses the "protect IP address in call" option, which significantly heightens the difficulty for anyone in the call to deduce your location by securely relaying the call through WhatsApp servers.
The report advised users that while this privacy call relay feature offers substantial security benefits, it may slightly impact call quality due to the encryption and routing processes employed by WhatsApp servers during calls.
This feature is especially valuable when communicating with unknown contacts in a WhatsApp call, as it effectively mitigates attempts to track your IP address and location, preserving your privacy even when engaging with less familiar contacts.
The latest privacy enhancement, designed to protect your IP address during calls, is currently available to a select group of beta testers who have installed the most recent WhatsApp beta on Android via the Google Play Store and on iOS through the TestFlight app. The report also noted that this feature will gradually roll out to more users in the coming days.
"Thanks to the latest updates of WhatsApp beta for iOS from the TestFlight app and WhatsApp beta for Android from the Google Play Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is rolling out the new privacy call relay feature to some beta testers," the report stated.
The report also revealed the existence of a new section named "Advanced" within the privacy settings screen. This section houses the "protect IP address in call" option, which significantly heightens the difficulty for anyone in the call to deduce your location by securely relaying the call through WhatsApp servers.
The report advised users that while this privacy call relay feature offers substantial security benefits, it may slightly impact call quality due to the encryption and routing processes employed by WhatsApp servers during calls.
This feature is especially valuable when communicating with unknown contacts in a WhatsApp call, as it effectively mitigates attempts to track your IP address and location, preserving your privacy even when engaging with less familiar contacts.
The latest privacy enhancement, designed to protect your IP address during calls, is currently available to a select group of beta testers who have installed the most recent WhatsApp beta on Android via the Google Play Store and on iOS through the TestFlight app. The report also noted that this feature will gradually roll out to more users in the coming days.
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