Enable end-to-end encryption for all chats to instantly secure messages and calls from unauthorized access.
Activate two-step verification to add a PIN, protecting your account from unauthorized logins on new devices.
Adjust privacy settings to hide last seen, profile photo, and status from strangers for enhanced personal control.
WhatsApp is the world's most-used messaging application and platform. But keeping one's account and data secure is the most crucial factor for a social media app such as WhatsApp. Privacy features are more important than ever, with users sharing personal data on the platform.
Let's take a look at the many privacy features the head honcho of social media apps provides so users can keep messages secure and private.
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Here's a rundown of the best features for better WhatsApp privacy.
The best way to increase WhatsApp privacy is to use two-step verification. This provides an additional layer of protection by asking for a PIN whenever the app is accessed on a new device.
Why this is important: With over 2 billion active users worldwide, WhatsApp is a major target for hackers. The danger of unwanted access is decreased with two-step verification.
How to activate: Go to Settings > Account > Two-step verification and enable this. One will need to create a PIN using the phone number.
WhatsApp settings provide the users with a facility to manage who has access to the profile data, like image, status, and last seen. This can be a helpful tool to secure individual information.
Why this is important: Most users unintentionally disclose confidential information, and that could lead to a privacy invasion.
How to activate: Go to Settings > Privacy. Under Profile Photo, About, and Last Seen, select with whom one wants to share the details. Switch to My Contacts or Nobody to get the maximum privacy.
WhatsApp reads receipts and informs when someone has read the message. Although this could be helpful, it may also be a privacy issue if someone doesn't want to notify others after reading the messages.
Why this is important: This is liked by some users to read messages without notifying the sender, particularly if quick responses aren't possible.
How to activate: In Settings > Privacy, turn off Read Receipts. Keep in mind that turning off read receipts also turns this off for the user.
WhatsApp provides disappearing messages that automatically delete messages after a selected period. For conversations with transient or private information, this is perfect.
Why this is important: This adds another layer of security for individuals who prefer to keep the messages from being saved permanently.
How to activate: Start a chat, swipe over the name of a contact, and switch on the Disappearing Messages toggle. The messages can be configured to expire in 24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days.
One can conceal the Last Seen status from everyone or certain contacts. This way, the user is in charge of who will be able to see when one last used the app.
Why this is important: This puts users more in charge of their online lives and restricts how much others can monitor user activity.
How to activate: Settings > Privacy > Last Seen > My Contacts Except…. Select the contacts the user wants to block from seeing Last Seen.
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Privacy on WhatsApp is important in this era of the internet. These easy but effective features allow people to manage their individual online lives, security, and privacy. With over 2 billion users, it is important to secure one’s WhatsApp account to guard personal details.
Users can keep WhatsApp chats safe and personal details confidential by using the mentioned WhatsApp tips.
With the discussed privacy features turned on, users can be in control of WhatsApp security, enjoy a more secure messaging experience, and safeguard their data.