WhatsApp on Tuesday announced a set of safety features designed to help users spot and avoid scams across both group and individual chats, saying it has banned more than 6.8 million accounts tied to criminal scam centres that target people worldwide.
The Meta-owned messaging service said the new features are intended to give users more context before they engage, particularly when they are added to groups or begin conversations with people who are not in their contacts.
The company also described a coordinated enforcement action, undertaken with OpenAI, that disrupted scam activity traced to a fraud operation in Cambodia.
OpenAI says ChatGPT has become one of the world’s most widely used learning tools, with students turning to it for help with homework, exam preparation, and understanding complex subjects.
But its growing popularity has also raised concerns among educators, who worry that such AI tools might undermine genuine learning by providing ready-made answers instead of fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
“We’ve built study mode to help answer this question. It’s designed to engage students through guiding questions that match their skill level and learning goals, fostering curiosity and helping them build a deeper understanding of the subject matter,” the company said in a statement on Tuesday.
OpenAI says ChatGPT has become one of the world’s most widely used learning tools, with students turning to it for help with homework, exam preparation, and understanding complex subjects.
But its growing popularity has also raised concerns among educators, who worry that such AI tools might undermine genuine learning by providing ready-made answers instead of fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
“Instead of doing the work for them, study mode encourages students to think critically about their learning. Features like these are a positive step toward effective AI use for learning,” said Robbie Torney, Senior Director of AI Programs at Common Sense Media.
The new tool introduces features designed to foster active, personalized learning:
Interactive Prompts: Uses Socratic questioning and reflective prompts to guide students toward understanding, rather than simply giving answers.
Scaffolded Responses: Breaks down complex concepts into manageable steps, helping learners build knowledge gradually.
Personalized Support: Tailors responses based on each user’s previous interactions and proficiency, offering a more customized learning experience.
Personalized Support: Adjusts answers according to the user’s previous interactions and demonstrated skill level.
Knowledge Checks: Offers quizzes and feedback tools to monitor progress and reinforce learning.
Flexible Use: Allows users to turn study mode on or off at any point during a conversation.However, a study published in June raised concerns, revealing that students who used ChatGPT to write essays exhibited lower brain activity compared to those using Google Search or no digital assistance—prompting questions about the tool’s impact on cognitive engagement.
