WhatsApp introduces 3 new features for security and privacy

Updated on 14-Apr-2023
HIGHLIGHTS

WhatsApp introduces three new features for privacy and security settings

The device verification aims at preventing any malicious malware activities through unauthorised devices

The account protection and automatic security codes feature helps in adding an extra secure layer for privacy settings

WhatsApp is introducing new features for Android and IOS in the upcoming months where the users will explore some additions in account protection, automatic security codes and device verification. These features will attain safeguard against any malware the mobile device comes under the threat of and will prevent the accounts from unauthorised access.

Adding to a layer of privacy settings, the new update for WhatsApp will see the lock individual chat feature. The feature will be available in the chat or group info section where it will lock your selected chat which can be accessed through the user's fingerprint or passcode. 

Also Read: Google releases first beta version of Android 14 

The system has been trying to safeguard the user data the app holds by introducing the Account Protect feature wherein when the users open their accounts on other devices a protection wall is built from unauthorised logins. The app will ask for your permission for adding the setting. This effort has been largely made after the introduction of WhatsApp Payments where accounts were being accessed by unauthorised sources.

Previously, there have been cases where malware has taken over the application to send unwanted messages. WhatsApp believes that malware is the biggest security threat to mobile phones as this method can be used for Advance Account Takeover resulting in the delivery of malicious messages. To prevent this activity, the system has developed a device verification feature wherein WhatsApp has added authentication checks to verify the user accounts.

WhatsApp follows end-to-end encryption and two-step verification for messages and chats, to further the security, users can now check security codes to verify users' connections. This feature can be used under the key transparency feature and verify personal conversations on the encryption tab. Through this feature, users can easily verify if their connection is secure and end-to-end encrypted.

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