WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps, especially in India, where its simple and feature-rich design has won over millions. What makes WhatsApp so appealing to Indians is its clean, bug-free experience, free from ads, with an easy-to-understand interface that works for people of all ages. Now, WhatsApp is about to get a major update that could change how users interact with the app. Owned by Meta, WhatsApp regularly adds new features to keep users engaged, and the upcoming updates look promising.
The app will offer three privacy options. The first is “Username,” where you can choose to display either your username or phone number. However, your old contacts will still see your number. Only new users who don’t have your number saved will see your username. The second option is “Phone number,” where your mobile number remains visible. The third option is “Username with a four-digit PIN.” This allows only those who know your PIN to connect with you on WhatsApp. While this feature is great for privacy-conscious users, there’s a loophole—people who already have your number can still message you even if you enable the PIN option.
This new feature is designed to give users more control over who can contact them. It’s expected to help reduce unwanted messages and improve the overall messaging experience. The feature is optional and can be turned on or off in the app’s settings. It aims to tackle the growing problem of spam, phishing attacks, and other malicious content from unknown contacts—a problem that has become all too common on WhatsApp.
Currently, the “Username and PIN” feature is being tested in the beta version of WhatsApp on Android. It will automatically block messages from unknown accounts if they exceed a certain volume, adding an extra layer of protection against spam. This feature not only enhances security and privacy but also helps the app run more smoothly by reducing the clutter of unwanted messages. Spam can slow down the app and increase the amount of data it needs to process, so this update should make WhatsApp faster and more efficient.
Scammers have increasingly targeted WhatsApp, making it their go-to platform for malicious activities. The new feature is expected to reduce the risks of such content, protecting both device performance and user data. By cutting down exposure to unsolicited messages, the chances of falling victim to scams are also minimized.
In addition to these privacy and security features, WhatsApp is introducing an AI-powered tool for creating custom stickers. The ‘Imagine’ tool, available in the attachments section, lets users generate stickers by giving commands to Meta AI. These updates highlight WhatsApp’s focus on improving user experience by offering both enhanced security and creative tools.
