WhatsApp has stepped up efforts to enhance user safety by introducing two new features designed to provide users with a safer messaging experience and simplify group message sharing.
The Meta-owned company, in its latest Android beta version update, included a new “Safety tools” section that appears when an unknown person or business account messages a user for the first time.
The feature informs users about profile photo settings and provides guidance on verifying the sender’s phone number.
It also offers two convenient options to either block or report the unknown sender, making it easier for users to combat spam and unwanted messages.
The safety tools tab also emphasizes that profile photos and user information are set by individual users and not verified by the platform.
This serves as a reminder to exercise caution when interacting with unknown users, guarding against potential scams commonly found on messaging apps.
WhatsApp also encourages users to verify the country code when responding to messages from known contacts.
Additionally, WhatsApp has introduced a helpful shortcut in the beta update that streamlines the process of forwarding messages to multiple contacts.
The update includes an option to create a new group directly from the message forwarding screen, making content sharing more convenient and efficient.
While these new features are currently available in beta testing, their official release to all users on the stable channel remains uncertain.
WhatsApp has yet to extend the features to iOS testers, suggesting a potential wait of a few weeks before they are accessible to all iOS and Android users.
These enhancements are expected to make the messaging service even more user-friendly and secure for its vast user base.
