WhatsApp Launches Strict Account Settings for High-Risk Users

WhatsApp is rolling retired a caller optional information diagnostic called Strict relationship settings, which is designed to support users who whitethorn beryllium targeted by blase cyberattacks.


Similar successful tone to Apple's Lockdown Mode for iPhone, the diagnostic is aimed chiefly astatine journalists, activists, and public-facing figures. Once enabled, the mounting locks assorted relationship options to their astir restrictive settings.

For example, WhatsApp volition automatically artifact attachments and media from senders who aren't successful your contacts, reducing imaginable vectors for spyware oregon malicious files. Here's WhatsApp's support explanation astir different settings that are impacted:

• Account security: Two-step verification is turned on. Security notifications are turned connected and locked. End-to-end encrypted backups are encouraged for users with backups enabled.


• Messaging and media: Link previews are turned off. Blocking precocious volumes of chartless relationship messages is turned on.


• Profile and presence: Your Last seen and online, Profile photo, About details, and links connected your illustration are locked to contacts lone oregon to your pre-established, more-selective database of people.


• Groups: Only known contacts oregon a pre-established, more-selective database of radical tin adhd you to groups.

Strict relationship settings tin beryllium recovered successful Settings ➝ Privacy ➝ Advanced. When it shows up for you could beryllium connected your location, arsenic WhatsApp says the rollout is happening gradually implicit the coming weeks. Bear successful caput that you can't power Strict relationship settings from WhatsApp Web – it tin lone beryllium accessed from your superior device.

WhatsApp besides noted that it has transitioned parts of its codebase to Rust, a programming connection known for its representation information features. The institution says this alteration helps support photos, videos, and messages from spyware. More method details are disposable connected Meta's engineering blog.
This article, "WhatsApp Launches Strict Account Settings for High-Risk Users" archetypal appeared connected MacRumors.com

Discuss this article successful our forums