Reportedly, this feature is being tested on both Android and iOS platforms, initially discovered by WABetaInfo. They detailed a warning screen that appears when users begin a chat with an unsaved number.
Rather than diving directly into a conversation, WhatsApp will first present a security alert containing information to help users evaluate the trustworthiness of the contact.
The warning offers details about the country in which the number is registered, whether the sender is in the user’s contacts, and if they share any common WhatsApp groups. This aims to provide context prior to interacting with an unfamiliar contact.
Additionally, the alert highlights common scam techniques, cautioning that fraudsters might attempt to acquire personal information, passwords, or money. Users can then decide whether to continue chatting or to cancel.
The sender will not be informed of this choice. Currently, the feature is accessible in limited regions, with plans for broader rollout in the upcoming months.
While this feature is significant, it is not infallible. Warnings may be absent if the number is saved already, or if a known contact has changed their number or relocated to another country.
This initiative comes as messaging platforms experience a rise in scams, ranging from investment fraud to fake job opportunities, impersonation schemes, and phishing attacks. WhatsApp emphasizes the need for users to stay alert and refrain from sharing sensitive information with unverified parties.
