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WhatsApp Beta Adds Feature to Block Messages From Unknown Users

WhatsApp's third 'advanced' privacy feature is now available to Android beta testers.

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WhatsApp beta testers are currently receiving updates that include a new feature that protects users from unwanted messages sent by unknown accounts. A new feature that automatically shields users from unknown senders by screening out messages under particular conditions was discovered by a feature tracker.

Some testers have previously had access to the capability, which needs to be manually enabled. It will be added to two additional “advanced” safety features designed to safeguard users’ privacy when utilizing the messaging app.

Users can access a new setting that prevents messages from some unknown accounts after updating to WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.20.16 (via WABetaInfo). On Android handsets running the most recent version, beta testers can access the Settings > Privacy > Advanced > Block unknown account messages menu by tapping the three dots.

The new feature on WhatsApp is described as being intended to safeguard user accounts and enhance device functionality. The chat service will “block messages sent by unknown accounts if they exceed a certain volume” once it is enabled. A user’s device’s performance may suffer from an excessive number of spam messages, and the new function seems to be to protect consumers from automated spam messages.

As of right now, this functionality is only available to beta testers; users on the stable update channel will have to wait for a more widespread release. Users who enable it will still receive messages within an unclear limit from unknown accounts; WhatsApp is unlikely to reveal this information to discourage spammers from abusing the service.

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Blocking messages from unknown accounts will work in conjunction with two additional features on WhatsApp that provide enhanced privacy: preventing third parties from discovering a user’s IP address by disabling link previews, and safeguarding a user’s IP address during calls. Each of the three features is an option that a user must actively enable on their smartphone.

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