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WhatsApp is reportedly preparing to roll out a new security feature designed to offer additional protection to users who may be at higher risk of hacking or targeted cyber attacks.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
As first reported by WABetaInfo<\/a>, the latest WhatsApp beta for iOS on TestFlight includes a new option called \u201cStrict account settings\u201d, found under Privacy > Advanced<\/i>. The feature could allow users to activate a \u201cset of extreme protections\u201d if they believe they are at risk of being targeted by malicious actors.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n According to WhatsApp\u2019s description, enabling the mode will likely automatically apply a series of restrictions aimed at keeping users\u2019 accounts safe. These include blocking media and attachments from unknown senders, limiting who can call or message, and locking certain settings to prevent unauthorised changes. The company also warns that enabling the feature may reduce call and message quality.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Beyond the measures listed on the splash screen, WABetaInfo notes that several other privacy options will be automatically adjusted when the mode is turned on. These include silencing unknown callers, restricting group invites to known contacts, disabling link previews, alerting users to encryption code changes, enabling two-step verification<\/a>, and hiding personal information from unknown numbers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n While most of these protections are already available individually within WhatsApp\u2019s settings, the new mode simplifies the process by automatically applying all of them at once. This could be particularly useful for individuals such as journalists, activists, or public figures who may be more vulnerable to digital threats.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nAdditional protections applied automatically<\/h2>\n