Mark Zuckerberg announces three new privacy features on WhatsApp

Messaging platform WhatsApp has announced three new privacy features that the company said would give more control over conversations to users. The platform said that although it has the default end-to-end encryption, it is only one part of privacy protection. 

In the first feature, users can leave groups silently without notifying anyone, other than the admins. The second feature allows them to choose who can and can’t see them online, and both the features are expected to launch this month. The third feature offers screenshot blocking for View Once Messages – that is used to share photos or media - for an added layer of protection. This feature is being tested and will be rolled out to users soon.  

“New privacy features coming to WhatsApp: exit group chats without notifying everyone, control who can see when you're online, and prevent screenshots on view once messages. We'll keep building new ways to protect your messages and keep them as private and secure as face-to-face conversations,” said Mark Zuckerberg, Founder and CEO, Meta.

Explaining why the company has announced the new layers of protection, WhatsApp, in a statement, said that 72% of people value being able to speak in an honest and unfiltered way but more than 42% want to do so in a safe, private space. They are cautious online and give private messages the utmost importance, compared to email, texts or social media. It added that over 50% prefer to stay hidden online, while 91% said that blocking features are important. 

 “We believe WhatsApp is the most secure place to have a private conversation. We’ve added interlocking layers of protection to help keep their conversations secure, and the new features are one of the ways we continue to deliver on our commitment to keep messages private,” said, Ami Vora, Head of Product at WhatsApp. 

He added that the social media platform is also kicking off a global campaign, starting with the UK and India, to educate people about how we work to protect their private conversations on WhatsApp.”