California, USA – WhatsApp has launched a new security feature aimed at reducing online fraud attempts via messages from unknown numbers.
This move is part of the company’s efforts to enhance user protection against scams and data theft.
Warnings before starting the conversation
The new feature displays a warning alert when receiving messages from unknown numbers,
especially those registered in other countries. This gives users the opportunity to verify the sender’s identity
before interacting with them or sharing any personal or financial information.
This update comes in response to the rise in scams that rely on sending seemingly innocuous text messages,
such as “This is my new number” or “Do you remember me?”.
These messages are used to lure users and gain their trust before carrying out fraudulent activities.
According to the update, WhatsApp will display a range of data to help users make informed decisions.
This data includes the country where the number is registered, whether the number is saved in the contacts,
and whether there are any shared groups between the sender and recipient.
Proactive protection and feature limits
The app also gives users two direct options: continue the conversation or ignore it,
without sending any notification to the other party.
Technical reports confirmed that the new system works automatically on both Android and iPhone phones.
It focuses on proactively preventing fraud rather than dealing with breaches after they occur.
Despite the importance of the new feature, experts explained that its effectiveness is not absolute.
Warnings may not appear if the number is already saved by the user,
or if the sender is a known person who has changed their phone number or moved to another country.
WhatsApp stressed the need for users to remain vigilant and not share sensitive data
with any untrusted party. Even if messages seem normal or familiar, caution is advised.
