WhatsApp is rolling out an important update in its latest beta version for Android, 2.24.20.28, focused on enhancing user safety and improving how users interact with unknown contacts. According to WaBetaInfo, the chat app in a previous update version 2.23.16.6 introduced several safety tools designed to protect users when they receive messages from unfamiliar numbers.
One of the most notable features is a safety screen that appears when users first receive a message from an unknown contact. This screen provides guidance on how to handle such interactions, including options to block or report the sender. It also advises users to check the sender’s profile name, photo, and country code, which can help determine whether the contact is legitimate.
Now the latest beta update introduces a new feature that allows users to search links directly on the web. For instance, if someone receives a message with a link claiming to direct them to a popular news site, they can use this feature to verify the link’s authenticity. This is especially important given that many users receive forwarded messages that may contain misinformation.
WhatsApp has redesigned the link search functionality to make it more user-friendly. When users choose to search for more information about a link, only the specific message containing the link is uploaded to Google for the search. Importantly, this process does not share the message content with WhatsApp, ensuring user privacy.
Moreover, users will see a prompt offering them two options: to search for details about the link itself or to search the text within the message.
