📷 Image Credits: Deccan Herald
WhatsApp has recently introduced a new safety feature for group chat members to enhance user security on the platform. This feature, called the ‘context card’, provides critical information about the group’s origin, including who added you, when the group was created, and who the creator is. The purpose of this feature is to empower users to make informed decisions about whether to remain in a group or leave, as well as to review safety tools available within WhatsApp. It is especially beneficial in situations where users are added to groups by unknown individuals, such as potential fraudsters seeking to exploit naive users for financial gain.
This new safety feature comes as a response to the increasing cases of online frauds on WhatsApp, where threat actors add unsuspecting users to groups to solicit investments in cryptocurrency or stock trading. Once users fall victim to these scams and send money, the group is abruptly closed, making it difficult for security agencies to recover the lost funds. To mitigate these risks, WhatsApp encourages users to exercise caution when unknown persons add them to groups promising quick money.
In addition to the ‘context card’, WhatsApp offers other safety features like silencing unknown callers, chat lock, in-app privacy check-ups, and controlling group membership settings. The platform is committed to enhancing user security and is continuously exploring new ways to protect users from online threats. Furthermore, WhatsApp is also testing an AI-powered personalised sticker creator called Imagine Me, which allows users to generate stickers from their selfies using the Meta AI chatbot.
Overall, this new safety feature by WhatsApp aims to provide users with more control and transparency when joining group chats. By empowering users with critical information about the group’s origins, WhatsApp is taking proactive steps to safeguard its users’ digital well-being and prevent potential online scams and frauds.