WhatsApp is catching up and testing features that seem to be the foundation of protecting our privacy in the messenger. Better late than never!
WhatsApp is still the most popular messaging app, although not the most extensive. For years, the creators have been trying to introduce functions that facilitate communication. and giving users even more opportunities to express themselves and their emotions. It’s getting better with each update, but it’s clear that the messenger has a lot to catch up on. While a few weeks ago WhatsApp announced that it had entered into cooperation with GIPHY, a company we know primarily from funny gifs used not only in social media but also in messengers, about more important changes – regarding our privacy – he is not so effusive. The task of the communicator’s creators is relieved by the editors of the WABetaInfo service, who inform that the application is heading to one of the most important functions that was missing here.
WhatsApp will allow you to block messages from unknown people. It’s a wonder this didn’t happen before
Ability to block messages, or incoming calls seems to be one of the basic functions of a messenger app. Nothing could be further from the truth – in WhatsApp, there is none of that. Fortunately, it will be soon, because in the test version of the Android app there is an option that allows you to cut off all numbers that we do not have saved in our contacts. This effective tool will allow you to minimize the risk of spam, intrusions by unknown numbers or attempts to extract data from us.
And how do we currently deal with unwanted callers and messages? WhatsApp gives users many options related to protecting their privacy, but there are no advanced spam protection tools. Although the messenger has a section devoted to who can contact us, we don’t have much choice. At the moment, the application allows us to decide whether we want all users or just our contacts to add us to groups.
We can also mute notifications about incoming calls from unknown contacts and block phone numbers of people we don’t want to talk to. That’s it. However, considering that we will soon be able to completely block the possibility of contacting people outside the contact list, it will finally give us a real tool to defend ourselves not only against spam, but also potentially dangerous messages. The only question is when this option will be made available to all users. WhatsApp is known for the fact that new features in the stable version of the application appear suddenly – and not always for everyone. It is also a bit worrying that the current beta version on iOS does not have this function. Hopefully, this will change in the next update.
How to block and report contacts?
Android
- Click ⋮ > Settings.
- Choose Privacy > Blocked contacts.
- Click on the icon Add new
- Search or select the contact you want to block.
You can also block or report a person from the notification level:
- Expand notification WhatsApp to see more information.
- Click Block.
- If you also want to report the contact, check the box next to the item Report.
- Click Block.
iOS
- Open Settings to WhatsApp > Privacy > Blocked > Add new…
- Search for and tap the contact you want to block.
You can also block or report a person from the notification level:
- Expand notification WhatsApp to see more information.
- Click Block.
- If you also want to report the contact, check the box next to the item Report.
- Click Block.
Source: antyweb.pl
