WhatsApp has introduced a new privacy feature in its latest beta release aimed at tackling one of the platform’s most persistent problems: spam. The feature, available in beta version 2.24.18.2 for Android, introduces a username PIN system to improve user security and reduce spam messages, according to GSM Arena.
This new feature allows users to set a four-digit PIN along with their username, adding an extra layer of security. The PIN ensures that people who have not previously interacted with you cannot send you messages simply by knowing your username. This move is expected to significantly reduce spam and strengthen the privacy of WhatsApp users.
“Once implemented, this feature should greatly reduce spam, which has been a frequent problem on WhatsApp,” a company spokesperson said, GSM Arena reported.
The PIN feature will require anyone who wants to message you for the first time to know both your username and the PIN you’ve set. However, conversations with contacts you’ve already interacted with will not be affected by this new system. Existing chats will continue as usual, and the transition to using usernames will be seamless for these connections.
While this feature is very promising, it is still in the beta testing phase and there is no confirmed timeline for its official release. Given WhatsApp’s typical development cycle, it may take some time before the username PIN feature is available to the general public – possibly not before the end of the year, according to GSM Arena.
As WhatsApp continues to refine this feature, users are advised to stay updated on progress through upcoming beta releases. The introduction of the username PIN marks a proactive step by WhatsApp to address privacy concerns and improve the overall user experience on the platform.
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