WhatsApp is rolling out Advanced Chat Privacy, a new feature that offers users an added layer of privacy. The feature, which was previously discovered in a WhatsApp beta update, adds a new setting for chats and groups that prevents other people from taking content outside of the app.
Users can access the feature by tapping on the chat name and selecting the Advanced Chat Privacy option. Once the setting is enabled, users are blocked from exporting the chat. This setting also prevents media from being auto-downloaded to the user’s phone, in addition to blocking the use of AI features. This new setting builds on the app’s previously added privacy features such as end-to-end encryption for messages and calls, and disappearing messages.
It is worth noting that this feature is optional and that users have to manually turn it on for specific chats. WhatsApp stated that the setting is best used in groups where the members do not know each other as well, but the nature of the conversations is sensitive, like support groups for health challenges or organising a community around a particular cause.
This feature is gradually being rolled out to users with the latest version of WhatsApp over the coming months. According to the company, this is only the first iteration of the privacy feature, and there are plans for more additions to further improve it and include even more protections.
(Source: WhatsApp [official blog])
