WhatsApp has introduced new features aimed at protecting users from scams and suspicious activity on its messaging platform. The announcement comes as the company revealed that over 6.8 million scam-linked accounts were recently removed.
The latest safety update focuses on improving security in both group chats and individual messages. For group chats, WhatsApp will now show a safety overview screen when a user is added to an unfamiliar group.
The screen will provide information about the person who added them and whether other members are in their contacts. Until the user decides to stay in the group, notifications will remain muted, reducing the chance of interacting with harmful content.
WhatsApp is also testing safety alerts for private messages. These alerts appear when users receive messages from numbers not saved in their contacts. The alerts provide context about the sender and include safety tips, encouraging users to pause and verify before responding.
In a recent example, WhatsApp collaborated with OpenAI to dismantle a Cambodia-based scam operation. Scammers were using ChatGPT to generate messages that lured victims to other platforms like Telegram.
Victims were tricked into fake tasks, such as liking TikTok videos or joining fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes, and were later asked to deposit real money into crypto wallets.
To stay safe, WhatsApp recommends users verify identities, question offers involving money, and watch for urgency—a common tactic used by scammers. The platform also urges users to report suspicious messages to help curb fraudulent activities.
WhatsApp emphasized that user safety is its top priority. The company continues to invest in AI-powered detection, reporting tools, and global partnerships to make the platform safer and limit misuse by bad actors.
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