WhatsApp is often criticized for the ease with which users receive unsolicited messages from unknown people. In order to respond to this invasive problem, the messaging service has decided to test a new feature which allows messages from unknown accounts to be automatically blocked.
Targeted blocking for better control
According to WABetaInfothe site specializing in the scrutiny of application betas, this option is available to certain beta testers on Android, having installed version 2.24.20.16 of the application. The main goal of this update is to limit spam messages, especially those containing malicious links or potentially harmful content.
To enable this protection, users can go to the app’s privacy settings, under the “Advanced” section, and choose the “Block messages from unknown accounts” option. Once enabled, WhatsApp will automatically block messages if an unknown account sends a high volume of messages in a short time. However, the function does not systematically block all messages from unregistered accounts. It specifically targets those who exhibit behavior deemed suspicious.
The arrival of this feature is a direct echo of recent concerns about security on WhatsApp. A study conducted by CloudSEK, a platform specializing in cybersecurity, revealed that the “Maorrisbot” malware targeted Android users via fraudulent messages on Meta messaging. These messages, often in the form of fake traffic fines, trick victims into installing a malicious application. This program would be actively used by hackers based in Vietnam, according to the CloudSEK report.
In this context, the functionality of blocking messages from unknown accounts becomes an additional weapon for WhatsApp. By filtering potentially dangerous messages before they reach users, the application aims to better protect devices against malware and cyberattacks, while improving the performance of smartphones, which are often slowed down by spam overload.
Unlike traditional blocking tools, this new option does not systematically delete all messages from unknown senders. WhatsApp has chosen to set a volume limit, as yet unspecified, from which messages are blocked. This approach helps filter spam while allowing legitimate communications from unsaved contacts, such as commercial offers or important information, to pass through.
The objective is also to make the user experience smoother by preventing spam from saturating devices, while strengthening confidentiality and security. WhatsApp plans to improve its algorithms to detect suspicious behavior, such as mass sending of messages, and automatically block the accounts concerned. It could also encourage users to adopt better security practices, by recommending the activation of this protection when suspicious activities are detected.
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