WhatsApp To Add Device Verification, Account Protect As New Security Features In Coming Months

INSTANT messaging app WhatsApp regularly iterates its commitment to privacy. The platform has a rich feature pack catering to a secure environment on the app. In its feature series, the Meta-owned platform announced three security features - Account Protect, Device Verification and Automatic Security Codes.

In a blog post, the company started with its commitment to private messaging and its foundational stone of security and privacy - end-to-end encryption. Apart from the old, here is the breakup of the upcoming features that will debut in the coming months.

Account Protection

The feature will help restrict app access on a new device. If a user tries to configure WhatsApp on a different phone, they would have to verify the prompt on the old handset. WhatsApp terms this as "an extra security check." Further, the feature will notify the user of "unauthorized" phone log in attempts.

Device Verification

While protecting the profile from malicious activities, this feature will add extra checks to authenticate a WhatsApp account. However, no action from the user's end is required. It will help "prevent ATO attacks." Advance Account Takeover attacks send messages on WhatsApp while the user stays aloof. The process will use an authentication key to establish a trusted connection.

"Device Verification has been rolled out to 100% of WhatsApp users on Android and is in the process of being rolled out to iOS users," Meta shared.

Automatic Security Codes

Security Codes are among the popularly iused features of users on WhatsApp. It helps ensure they are chatting with the right person. A user has to head to the Encryption tab under contact info. "You can check this manually by going to the encryption tab under a contact's info" and tallying the 60-digit code. With the feature, a user can click on the encryption tab and cross-check if the chats are secure in no time.

Meanwhile, the company currently deploys two-factor authentication and encrypted backups among a plethora of privacy features. Plus, reports claim the company is working on view-once audio messages and lock chats in beta.