WhatsApp Beta Introduces Characteristic to Block Messages From Unknown Accounts

WhatsApp has begun rolling out an replace to beta testers together with a brand new characteristic designed to maintain customers protected from undesirable messages despatched from unknown accounts. A characteristic tracker noticed a brand new characteristic that routinely protects customers from unidentified senders, by filtering out messages beneath particular circumstances. The characteristic is already obtainable to some testers and should be manually enabled. It’ll ultimately be a part of two different ‘superior’ security options geared toward defending person privateness whereas utilizing the messaging app.

After updating to WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.20.16, customers can have entry to a brand new setting that blocks messages from some unidentified accounts (by way of WABetaInfo). Beta testers who’re operating the most recent model for Android smartphones can faucet on the three-dot menu > Settings > Privateness > Superior > Block unknown account messages. Devices 360 was in a position to verify that the brand new toggle was obtainable on the most recent beta model.

WhatsApp customers will quickly acquire entry to a different privateness characteristic
Photograph Credit score: WABetaInfo

WhatsApp’s description for the brand new characteristic states that it’s designed to guard a person’s account and enhance system efficiency. As soon as enabled, the messaging platform will “block messages despatched by unknown accounts in the event that they exceed a sure quantity”. An inflow of spam messages would possibly negatively have an effect on the efficiency of a person’s system, and the brand new characteristic seems to be designed to guard customers from automated spam messages.

This characteristic is presently restricted to beta testers, which signifies that customers on the secure replace channel must watch for a wider rollout. When it is enabled, customers will nonetheless see messages from unknown accounts inside an unspecified restrict — WhatsApp is unlikely to reveal this with a purpose to deter spammers from bypassing the corporate’s characteristic.

The characteristic to dam messages from unknown accounts will be a part of two different options that supply superior privateness on WhatsApp — defending a person’s IP deal with in calls, and disabling hyperlink previews to stop third events from inferring a person’s IP deal with. All three options are choices and should be manually enabled by a person on their smartphone.