WhatsApp has announced three important security updates for iOS and Android. This set includes improvements to the two-step verification system, which now requires a password. Android users can get additional information about unknown calls, and users of both operating systems can now add more than one passcode to log into their accounts.
Table of Contents
Security updates from WhatsApp
This week, WhatsApp announced important updates regarding account security. The messaging app has enhanced two-step verification by adding the option to set a password. Users can now set a password that is at least eight characters long and contains at least one letter and one number. This new feature will significantly increase account security, as users can now protect their accounts with strong credentials.
Starting now, WhatsApp displays additional information when receiving calls from unknown numbers on Android devices. For example, they’ll be able to see details such as whether the number is from another country and how many groups they have in common with the caller. Additionally, users can now set up more than one password to log into their accounts. These features make their accounts more secure and provide extra protection against unauthorized access.
Password for logging into a WhatsApp account
After installing the latest versions of WhatsApp for iOS and Android, some users can now replace their two-step verification PIN with a password. A password is more secure than a PIN because it allows more combinations and characters, making it harder for attackers to crack.
If you don’t see the password option in this section, it will become available to more users in the near future.
WhatsApp launches admin profiles for channels
WhatsApp is testing a feature that allows administrators to create profiles for their channels. With this new feature, administrators can present a different image to their subscribers. For example, they can choose a name and profile photo to make it easier for others to understand who posted a specific update. This also helps other admins track who shared the content. Admins can update or delete their profile at any time directly from the channel info screen.
WhatsApp is testing a “Scam Alert” feature on Android
WhatsApp is rolling out a “Scam Alert” feature to a limited number of beta testers on Android. This new feature helps identify potential scam messages from unknown contacts. The feature uses an on-device machine learning model to analyze incoming messages and identify known scam patterns. This means that the message text is not sent to either WhatsApp or Meta*. When WhatsApp detects suspicious activity, a warning pops up, after which you can block and report the contact. This feature is optional and disabled by default—it must be enabled manually in the app’s settings.
Conclusion
WhatsApp has once again prioritized enhancing the security of accounts and group chats, thereby improving the user experience. As you can see, the messenger takes the protection of personal information very seriously, which is why WhatsApp’s relevant features are constantly being updated.
At GREEN-API, we keep track of all WhatsApp updates to provide you with the latest news and solutions for automating your business processes. Stay tuned to stay up to date on all the latest developments!