The popular messaging platform unveiled new privacy features this year.
Around the world, scammers and hackers have gotten more and more sophisticated and are now using different strategies to reach you. Among them, robotexting, or automated scam texts, have been on the rise, according to the Federal Communications Commission.
With end-to-end encryption and a suite of new privacy features, WhatsApp offers layers of protection to help billions of users feel safe, in control and one step ahead.
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Story From
WhatsApp’s
privacy capabilities keeps personal messages private
By Cemile Kavountzis, for WhatsApp
Feel in control of your privacy when it matters most to you.
WhatsApp has empowered users to share content securely and on their own terms through end-to-end encryption and powerful privacy capabilities. Addressing the changing messaging needs and concerns of today’s digital world, WhatsApp has innovated and added new layers of protection to keep your messages private.
To learn more about WhatsApp and its superb privacy capabilities, download the app or visit whatsapp.com.
A leader in keeping chats safe and secure
With built-in, automatic end-to-end encryption, WhatsApp provides a safe and secure way to stay in touch. The versatile platform enables users to send texts, make phone and video calls, and share pictures and videos, among other ways to communicate.
A quick look at WhatsApp’s security capabilities
End-to-end
encryption protects:
Other ways WhatsApp keeps users safe:
Learn more + download app
2 billion
WhatsApp users around the world
100 billion
WhatsApp messages sent daily
No. 1
The world’s most popular messaging app
2016
WhatsApp implements end-to-end encryption on everything except chat history backups
2021
New option rolled out to encrypt chat history backups
2022
Privacy capabilities expanded with exciting new features, including being able to exit a group chat silently, blocking screenshots for View Once messages and controlling who can see when you’re online
Personal chats and group messages
Shared pictures, videos and media
Phone and video calls
Two-step verification for added security
Disappearing messages that “self-destruct”
Ability to block and report unwanted chats
New privacy features launched for even more peace of mind
Along with end-to-end encryption, WhatsApp puts powerful privacy settings in the hands of its users giving them more control and flexibility. Taking it another step further, they recently launched exciting new features for protecting your personal conversations, including being able to exit a group chat silently, blocking screen shots for View Once messages and controlling who can see when you’re online.
Select each tab below to explore more.
Leave a group privately
Texting has introduced its own social etiquette, especially in group chats. Group chats on WhatsApp are great for bringing people together however, there may be times when you want to move on without making a big deal or offending anyone.
To sidestep awkwardness, you can now leave a group chat without a public announcement.
When you use the “exit a group” feature:
Control last seen and online status
It’s great to see a friend pop up online, but sometimes you don’t want everyone to know you’re around to chat. For those times when you want to fly under the radar or only let select friends know your status, you can choose who can and can’t see when you’re online.
Let people know when you’re free to talk on your own schedule without feeling pressured to respond.
The “last seen and online status” feature lets you:
Block screenshots of View Once
When you’re texting a password or sending a pic you only want to share in that moment, you probably don’t want it to be available forever. WhatsApp offers a View Once feature to make content temporary. To keep it a truly one-time event, View Once photos and media can’t be screenshotted.
Send confidential or sensitive content with another layer protecting your privacy.
1
0
When “block screenshot” is enabled:
Leave a group
privately
Control last seen and online status
Block screenshots of View Once
Entire group won’t get a notification that you’ve left
Only the admin will
be notified
You’ll have the option to archive instead
Check your WhatsApp privately
Keep your online
presence private
Limit access to last seen
and online status
Recipient can’t screenshot photos or media
When the View Once feature is activated, you can feel confident and secure sending sensitive info, such as social security numbers
It prevents unwanted
digital records
