WhatsApp launches Security Center page for user safety

Meta-owned messaging application WhatsApp has launched a global Security Center. It is a resource page that has information on safety measures and in-built product features for users to protect themselves against spammers and unwanted contact. This comes at a time when several users have complained of spam calls from unknown foreign numbers. 

The Security Center will be available in English and ten Indian languages including Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil, and Telugu, among others. It informs users of the layers of privacy offered by WhatsApp and shares tips to gain more control over their accounts. This includes two-step verification, scams, and group controls. WhatsApp will also be sharing information on ‘behind-the-scenes’ technology to run a ‘simple, reliable, private, and safe service’. 

WhatsApp said in a statement that it is taking initiatives to promote user safety and consumer awareness. Last month, it launched a safety campaign called ‘Stay Safe with WhatsApp’ to educate users on privacy controls, verification techniques, and block and report functionalities. It was aimed at equipping users will safeguards to protect them from online scams, frauds, and account-compromising threats.

In May, WhatsApp asked users to block and report suspicious accounts after it received complaints about calls and messages from anonymous international numbers, especially from countries in Southeast Asia and Africa. On this issue, IT minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar had then told that the ministry would be sending a notice to Meta. To this, WhatsApp spokesperson said that users’ privacy and security are fundamental to the company and that it is ‘fully aligned with the government’s goal of keeping users safe’.

India is WhatsApp’s largest user base with about 500 million users. In March, the company said that it banned 4.7 million as part of preventive actions against abuse.