WhatsApp is testing a feature that will protect you from unknown spammers

WhatsApp has begun rolling out an update to beta testers, along with a new feature designed to protect users from unwanted messages sent from unknown accounts. A feature tracker discovered a new feature that automatically protects users from unknown senders by filtering out messages under specific circumstances. The feature is already available to some testers and must be enabled manually. It will eventually join two other “advanced” safety features aimed at protecting users’ privacy while using the messaging app.

After updating to WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.20.16, users will get access to a new setting that blocks messages from certain unidentified accounts (via WABetaInfo). Beta testers using the latest version for Android smartphones can tap the three-dot menu > Institutions > Privacy > Advanced > Block unknown account messagesGadgets 360 was able to confirm that the new switch was available in the latest beta version.

WhatsApp users will soon get access to another privacy feature
Photo credit: WABetaInfo

WhatsApp’s description for the new feature states that it’s designed to protect a user’s account and improve device performance. Once enabled, the messaging platform will “block messages sent from unknown accounts if they exceed a certain volume.” An influx of spam messages can negatively impact the performance of a user’s device, and the new feature appears to be designed to protect users from automated spam messages.

The feature is currently limited to beta testers, meaning users on the stable update channel will have to wait for a wider rollout. When enabled, users will still see messages from unknown accounts within an unspecified limit. WhatsApp likely won’t announce this to prevent spammers from trying to circumvent the company’s feature.

The feature to block messages from unknown accounts joins two other features that offer advanced privacy on WhatsApp: protecting a user’s IP address in conversations and disabling link previews to prevent third parties from deducing a user’s IP address. All three features are optional and must be manually enabled by a user on their smartphone.