WhatsApp is working on a new security feature, called Scam Alert, to assist people with identifying potentially fraudulent messages from contacts they don’t know.
The feature has been seen in WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.22.4, and is currently being developed.
Based on what’s known, Scam Alert will be 100% user-based.
This means that the analysis won’t occur on outside servers and that WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption will not be compromised nor will user privacy be compromised.
The feature builds on WhatsApp’s existing use of on-device processing, which is already used for voice message transcripts.
This system would give voice notes to text directly on the recipient’s phone, and neither WhatsApp nor a third party could get a hold on the content of the voice notes.
When activated, Scam Alert will analyse messages from contacts it doesn’t recognise and warn you if a message is suspicious.
Users will receive a message with the following note: “This may be a scam” and will be notified that it is from an unknown sender.
If a warning is activated, the user will be able to block and report the contact, or proceed with the conversation if they think the message is genuine.
The feature will not automatically block calls from unknown contacts.
What’s more, WhatsApp is also developing a transparency report, which will be saved on the user’s device.
The report will include details of any suspicious activity, as well as when the Scam Alert has been triggered.
The report will simply display that no Scam Alert activity took place during the selected time period if there are no threats.
The Scam Alert will be voluntary, and disabled by default: the user will have to set it up in WhatsApp’s settings.
The feature is slated to be available in a beta version for Android users in a future update before it’s released globally.
Also read: Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp set to get paid subscription plans
