Meta-owned WhatsApp is actively developing a robust new security feature designed to provide an additional layer of protection for users who face a heightened risk of targeted hacking and sophisticated cyber attacks. This initiative underscores the platform's ongoing commitment to enhancing digital safety for its vast user base.
Enhanced Security Found in iOS Beta
The upcoming feature, identified as "Strict account settings," was first uncovered in the latest WhatsApp beta for iOS available on TestFlight. As reported by the reliable tracker WABetaInfo, this new option is located within the app's privacy settings, specifically under the 'Privacy > Advanced' section. It is engineered to allow users to activate what WhatsApp describes as a "set of extreme protections" when they suspect they might be targeted by malicious actors.
According to the official description within the beta, enabling this special mode will automatically implement a series of stringent restrictions aimed at fortifying account security. These measures are projected to include blocking all media and attachments sent by unknown contacts, limiting who has the permission to initiate a call or send a message, and locking down certain critical settings to prevent any unauthorized changes. The company has transparently noted that activating this high-security mode might lead to a potential reduction in call and message quality, a trade-off for the increased protection.
Automatic Application of Multiple Protections
Beyond the initial list of restrictions shown on the feature's splash screen, WABetaInfo's in-depth analysis reveals that several other crucial privacy options will be automatically adjusted once the strict mode is turned on. This comprehensive suite of automated safeguards includes:
- Silencing incoming calls from unknown numbers.
- Restricting group invites so that only known contacts can add the user.
- Disabling link previews for enhanced safety against malicious links.
- Alerting the user to any changes in their chat's encryption code.
- Enforcing two-step verification for an added login barrier.
- Hiding personal information such as 'Last Seen' and 'Online' status from unknown numbers.
While the majority of these individual protections are already available for users to manually enable within WhatsApp's extensive settings menu, the new 'Strict' mode significantly simplifies the entire process. It applies all these defenses simultaneously with a single toggle. This streamlined approach is particularly beneficial for journalists, political activists, government officials, and public figures who are often more vulnerable to sophisticated digital threats and account takeover attempts.
Anticipated Rollout and Final Thoughts
As of now, WhatsApp has not announced an official release date for this proactive security feature. Being in the beta testing phase, it is standard procedure for the development to undergo refinement before a widespread public release. It may, therefore, take some time before the 'Strict account settings' feature becomes available to all users across both iOS and Android platforms.
The introduction of this feature represents WhatsApp's latest strategic effort to bolster user safety in an era marked by growing concerns over phishing scams, spyware, and other forms of online exploitation. By creating a one-click, high-security mode, WhatsApp is empowering its most at-risk users with powerful tools to defend their digital lives without requiring advanced technical knowledge.
