WhatsApp launches new privacy features, partners with Anushka Sharma

WhatsApp has announced the launch of two new updates aimed at enhancing privacy features for its users. The introduction of Silence Unknown Callers and Privacy Checkup will provide increased protection and control over incoming calls, as well as empower users to customize their privacy settings.

Privacy has always been at the core of WhatsApp's mission, and it continues to build upon its foundation of end-to-end encryption to ensure secure communication for its users. The latest updates further reinforce this commitment by offering additional layers of privacy, including the recently introduced Chat Lock, Disappearing Messages, screenshot blocking for View Once, and the ability to maintain online privacy.

Silence Unknown Callers is a valuable feature designed to provide users with enhanced privacy and control over incoming calls. This feature automatically screens out spam, scams, and calls from unknown individuals, thus offering increased protection. While these calls will not ring on the user's phone, they will be visible in the Call list in case they are from someone important.

To raise awareness about the importance of privacy options on WhatsApp, the company is introducing Privacy Checkup. This step-by-step feature ensures that users are well-informed about their privacy settings and guides them through the process of choosing the right level of protection. Accessible through the Privacy settings, users can initiate the Privacy Checkup and explore multiple privacy layers that reinforce the security of their messages, calls, and personal information.

Securing private communication is crucial, as WhatsApp recognises the importance of offering a safe space for individuals to connect and share. To reinforce this message, the company is encouraging users worldwide to reach out to friends and loved ones securely via private messages. This initiative aims to ensure that everyone knows they have a secure environment in which to open up and communicate freely.

The new features, Silence Unknown Callers and Privacy Checkup, are available to users immediately. To experience these updates and explore the enhanced privacy options, users need to update their WhatsApp app to the latest version.

Meanwhile, to encourage women to check in on each other privately, Whatsapp has partnered with actor Anushka Sharma to launch a series of mirrored messages appearing in private spaces – women’s restrooms – in malls across Delhi.

A message will appear on the restroom mirror when triggered by motion, alongside a QR code that offers suggestions for checking in via a private WhatsApp message. Afterwards, the message vanishes without a trace, just like a Disappearing Message on WhatsApp.

Commenting on the launch of the campaign, Anushka Sharma said, “Women don’t always feel safe to speak up about issues they’re facing, however they tend to open up with a friend who reaches out to them, privately. I’ve partnered with WhatsApp to drive awareness around the importance of having a secure space for women to confide in others and how a private conversation can be empowering for women to speak up and seek help when their safety and well-being might be at risk. I truly feel it is important to check in on a friend, colleague, loved one, especially if you haven’t heard from them in a while and that one private message can be a lifeline. I am happy to be a part of this campaign that can be a safe space for women to open up.”

Sandhya Devanathan, Vice President, Meta India, said, “At WhatsApp, we believe protecting users’ personal conversations with their family and friends is the most important type of privacy we can give them. We’re thrilled to add two new privacy-first features that further strengthen and add to WhatsApp’s built-in layers of protection to offer users a safe space to have their most private conversations. Through the series of mirrored messages, we’re spreading the word on the importance of checking in on a friend or a loved one, encouraging women to reach out and support each other to speak up. We hope it helps start important conversations on WhatsApp, which always start with a single private message.”