WhatsApp may offer scam alerts to users without reading their chats, here is how
Follow UsWhatsApp may soon introduce a Scam Alert feature to help users spot suspicious messages.
The feature is expected to check messages on the device itself to protect user privacy.
Users could get a warning and options to block, report, or continue the chat.
WhatsApp is reportedly developing a new safety feature that could help users identify suspicious messages and avoid online scams. This upcoming feature is expected to detect any suspicious texts from unknown contacts and warn the users within the chat itself. Using this, the messaging app can provide another level of safety for the users when dealing with any suspicious messages. As per the reports by WABetaInfo, WhatsApp will be managing everything on the user’s own phone. This way, the privacy of the user would also be maintained. Although this feature looks quite attractive, it has not yet been introduced to the beta testers. Here is everything that we know about the future Scam Alert feature of WhatsApp.
SurveyWhatsApp Scam Alert: What is it
Online scams continue to be a growing concern across messaging platforms as the fraudsters often contact users from unfamiliar numbers and create a situation of panic and chaos to dupe them. According to a blog post by WABetaInfo, WhatsApp is building a new feature named ‘Scam Alert’ to address this issue. The feature is expected to notify the users when a message appears suspicious.
Rather than blocking conversations automatically, the tool will provide information that helps users make their own decision. Users can choose whether to continue the conversation or take action against the sender.
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WhatsApp Scam Alert: How it works
When WhatsApp Scam Alert is enabled, the messaging app will review incoming messages from unknown contacts directly on the device. If the system detects signs that a message could be fraudulent, a warning banner will appear in the chat.
The alert is expected to display a message such as ‘This may be a scam.’ Users will then see options to either block and report the contact or trust the chat and continue talking to the sender.
WhatsApp says the feature is being designed to work entirely on-device, eliminating the need to send messages to WhatsApp or Meta for analysis. Furthermore, the company is also working on local transparency reports that will allow users to view when Scam Alert was activated. These reports will be stored on the device and will not be shared with WhatsApp.
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WhatsApp Scam Alert: Release timeline
Scam Alert will be an optional feature and will remain disabled by default. Users who want the extra protection will need to turn it on manually through settings.
WhatsApp has been tight-lipped about the new Scam Alert feature for now. However, leaks and rumours suggest that the upcoming safety feature could land with the upcoming WhatsApp’s Android beta update before the company makes it publicly available to all users.
