WhatsApp has added new safety features for its users in India. First among these is the flash call feature, which is a new option for phone number verification while setting up the app.
Users can now opt to receive an automated call, which will be detected and the phone number verified, without having to type in a code. The feature, which is an alternative to the standard option where users would need to input a six-digit code received over SMS, is currently only supported on Android devices. WhatsApp says that the flash call method is more secure, since verification is handled entirely in-app, and there is no six-digit code which can be stolen to seize control of an account.
WhatsApp has also enabled message level reporting in India, which allows users to report accounts by flagging specific offending messages. This can be done by long pressing any message, where users will see the option to report or block. WhatsApp claims it has banned over 2.2 billion accounts in September alone.
Also Read: WhatsApp tests Communities feature as multi-device support goes live
WhatsApp has added the option to change privacy controls in the latest beta version of its desktop app. WhatsApp Web and WhatsApp for Desktop users can manage their privacy settings directly from the apps, without needing to access a phone.
This means that users can change their last seen, profile photo, and about pages preferences directly from WhatsApp Web or WhatsApp for Desktop. This feature is currently in beta, and is only available to select beta testers.