WhatsApp Beta Rolls Out New Anti-Spam Feature: Block Unknown Messages & Boost Device Performance
WhatsApp has started rolling out an update for beta testers with a new feature designed to protect users from unwanted messages sent by unknown accounts. According to a feature tracker, this new update automatically filters and blocks messages from unfamiliar senders in certain situations. The feature is already available for some beta testers and can be manually activated. It is part of WhatsApp's ongoing efforts to enhance user privacy and security, complementing two other advanced safety features aimed at safeguarding users' privacy while using the messaging app.
After updating to WhatsApp Beta version 2.24.20.16 for Android, users will have access to a new setting that blocks messages from certain unknown accounts, as reported by WABetaInfo. Beta testers using the latest version on Android smartphones can enable this feature by navigating to the three-dot menu > Settings > Privacy > Advanced > Block Messages from Unknown Accounts.
WhatsApp has stated that this feature is designed to improve both the security of user accounts and the performance of their devices. Once activated, the messaging platform will automatically block messages from unknown accounts if they exceed a certain threshold. This measure aims to prevent device performance issues caused by spam messages. The new feature appears to be designed specifically to protect users from automatic spam messages that could degrade the device’s performance.
Currently, this feature is limited to beta testers, meaning that regular users will have to wait for its broader rollout in a stable update. Even when the feature is activated, users will still be able to see messages from unknown accounts within a certain limit. WhatsApp has not disclosed the exact parameters to prevent spammers from bypassing the feature.
This new feature will join two other privacy-focused features on WhatsApp. These include securing users' IP addresses during calls and disabling link previews to prevent third-party users from predicting the IP addresses of WhatsApp users. All three features are optional and must be manually enabled by users on their smartphones.
