WhatsApp for Android’s latest beta update focuses on strengthening the privacy of its users, including a feature that blocks messages from unknown accounts, improves user controls, and potentially improves device performance.
WhatsApp is currently developing a feature to block messages from unknown accounts. This feature, which is planned for a future update, is designed to protect users from unwanted or even harmful communication. Users can set a limit on the number of messages they want to receive from unknown contacts within a certain period of time. Once this limit is exceeded, the app automatically blocks all further messages from those accounts.
The new WhatsApp option “Block messages from unknown accounts” is currently being tested | Image credit – WABetaInfo
There is also a performance aspect to this update. Spam and unwanted messages can overload the app and slow down your device. By enabling this blocking feature, users can significantly reduce the volume of data the app has to process. This reduction in processing load should result in a smoother and more responsive app experience.
WhatsApp is no newcomer to the fight against malicious activity. The company already uses automated tools to detect and filter out malicious actors while maintaining user privacy. These tools include algorithms designed to detect suspicious behavior and bulk messaging. This new blocking feature adds another layer of user control and allows users to proactively protect their accounts from spam and potentially harmful content.
The feature is designed to minimize the risk of phishing attempts and malicious content that can impact both device performance and memory. By filtering out messages from unknown sources, WhatsApp is taking another step toward creating a more secure messaging environment.
The feature to block messages from unknown accounts is still under development. It’s important to remember that features from beta versions can change or even be removed entirely before the final version is available. However, it’s encouraging to see that WhatsApp is actively working on new ways to protect its users.