WhatsApp launches a MAJOR update that makes it much harder for scammers to contact you

WhatsApp launches a MAJOR update that makes it much harder for scammers to contact you – here’s what you need to know

  • WhatsApp has launched a new feature today called Silence Unknown Callers 
  • It will automatically screen out spam, scams, and calls from unknown people

From a message offering a ‘fridge full of beer’ to a hoax claiming to be from your child, several convincing scams have circulated on WhatsApp in recent months. 

But weeding out the scams from the legitimate messages is about to get a whole lot easier. 

WhatsApp has launched a new feature today called Silence Unknown Callers. 

As the name suggests, the tool will automatically screen out spam, scams, and calls from unknown people on WhatsApp. 

‘Silence Unknown Callers is designed to give you more privacy and control of your incoming calls,’ WhatsApp explained in a blog. 

WhatsApp has launched a new feature today called Silence Unknown Callers. As the name suggests, the tool will automatically screen out spam, scams, and calls from unknown people on WhatsApp

How to use the new feature 

  1. Open WhatsApp and tap Settings
  2. Tap Privacy, then Calls. You’ll now be given the option to toggle on or off Silence Unknown Callers
  3. If you choose to activate this feature, calls from unknown numbers will automatically be silenced

Silence Unknown Callers is one of two new updates launching today to improve privacy on WhatsApp. 

To activate it, open the WhatsApp app on your phone and tap Settings in the bottom right corner of the screen. 

Tap Privacy, then Calls. You’ll now be given the option to toggle on or off Silence Unknown Callers. 

If you choose to activate this feature, calls from unknown numbers will automatically be silenced.  

‘These calls will not ring on your phone, but will be visible in your Call list, in case it turns out to be someone important,’ WhatsApp explained. 

WhatsApp has also launched a new Privacy Checkup tool today to ‘help make sure everyone knows about the options of protection’ on the app. 

The step-by-step feature guides users through the important privacy settings they can choose to activate on their account. 

WhatsApp is also launching a new Privacy Checkup tool today to 'help make sure everyone knows about the options of protection' on the app

WhatsApp is also launching a new Privacy Checkup tool today to ‘help make sure everyone knows about the options of protection’ on the app

Within the Privacy settings, simply select ‘Start checkup’, and you’ll be able to explore your privacy options.

The new tools are likely to be welcomed by WhatsApp users, many of which have been inundated with spam calls and messages in recent months. 

Taking to Twitter, one user wrote: ‘This scam and spam on WhatsApp is really getting out of hand. How do we make it stop!?’

Another added: ‘Anyone else getting a bunch of WhatsApp Spam? There doesn’t appear to be anyway to stop it but to block each contact that hits me.’

And one joked: ‘so many bots trying to get me to make a whatsapp so they can scam me i feel so POPULAR.’



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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk