WhatsApp Introduces Safety Warning for Chats

WhatsApp is reportedly rolling out a new safety feature that alerts users before they begin conversations with unknown phone numbers. The Meta-owned messaging platform will display a warning message whenever a user opens a chat from an unsaved contact. The alert is designed to help users identify potentially risky conversations and make informed decisions before interacting with strangers, strengthening protection against online scams and cyber threats.

The warning screen is expected to display the country where the phone number is registered, indicate whether the contact is already saved, and show if both users share any common WhatsApp groups. It will also caution users against sharing personal information, passwords or sending money to unknown individuals. After reviewing the details, users can either continue the conversation or cancel it, with the sender remaining unaware of their decision. WhatsApp is also testing additional features, including a voice note widget and view-once text messages for iPhone users.