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WhatsApp may introduce feature to block spam messages

A hand with a phone held. on the screen is a whatsapp logo. the background is a blurred cityscape.

WhatsApp is working on a new feature to allow users to prevent unknown numbers from sending messages. 

The instant messaging app is a great source of communication and contact but it can be very annoying when you are added to spam groups, or hit with content to advertise unsolicited services.

There is also the risk of exposing your device to malware or other cyber threats, but a solution could be imminent.

WhatsApp news site WABetaInfo has reported the company is now rolling out a new security update on Android devices giving the ability to block messages from unknown accounts. 

The feature is said to be hidden in the ‘Advanced’ section of settings, within the ‘Privacy’ menu. Simply toggle the ‘Block unknown account messages’, to turn the feature on and off. 

What if an unknown contact is sending you something important?

This does happen on WhatsApp, as often you will obtain a number for someone else to make an initial contact, or vice versa. 

The new feature will not block every message, but it will take action against accounts that send a disproportionately high number of messages in a short amount of time. 

The block will seemingly be lifted once the messages subside to a normal rate, which appears counterproductive, but this could change after further testing once the final version is delivered.

‘Block unknown account messages’ is now available to some beta testers, according to WABetaInfo which noted in its report: 

“Thanks to the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.20.16 update, which is available on the Google Play Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is rolling out a security feature to block messages from unknown accounts.”

The service is expected to be rolled out to a wider base of users in the coming weeks.

Image credit: Via Unsplash

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