WhatsApp is reportedly rolling out a new privacy feature focused on its Communities tab. According to the ever-reliable WABetaInfo, the app is releasing a new phone privacy member to select beta users on Android and iOS, with a wider rollout expected over the coming weeks.
Currently, the community participants list is already hidden in the community announcement group but if a user interacts with messages using reactions, the user’s phone number would be revealed. The new phone number privacy feature on WhatsApp will ensure that your info stays hidden even with message interactions.
Based on the screenshots in the report, your phone number will only be visible to community admins, people who have already saved you as a contact, or people who have your number from other chats. Of course, this added layer of privacy only applies to regular community members as an admin’s phone number will always be visible.
This is just the latest in a series of updates from WhatsApp to strengthen user privacy on its platform. Just recently, rolled out the ability to silence calls from unknown phone numbers as well as Privacy Checkup, a step-by-step guide to ensure each user knows the best level of protection for them.
(Source: WABetaInfo)
