WhatsApp Reportedly Planning To Add Facial Recognition For Android App

WhatsApp, the messaging app used by millions of users around the world, is supposedly getting a new biometric update. Specifically, the Facebook-owned app may soon be receiving support to unlock the app via facial recognition.

The news comes by way of WABetaInfo and XDA, the former pointing out that the feature will be supported, provided that the Android phone has the necessary sensor for it. In addition to facial recognition, WhatsApp will also be adding improvements to fingerprint recognition, as well as changing its name to “Biometric Lock”.

Needless to say, while the two security features are designed to work hand-in-hand, Android devices that do not have a fingerprint scanner – physical or in-display – will have no other choice but to resort to their selfie camera.

On another note, it also seems that WhatsApp is working on a new Join Call feature that allow users to simultaneously jump in on an ongoing call, provided they’ve been invited to participate in said call. Considering how WhatsApp is also working on the Voice and Video call support for its web version, it makes sense that this feature would be in the works too.

At the time of writing, both features are still in beta and no specific release date has been announced.

(Source: WABetaInfo, XDA)

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