WhatsApp Introduces New Safety Features to Combat Group Chat Scams
WhatsApp is rolling out a new feature aimed at protecting users from group chat scams. When a user receives an invitation to a group chat from an unknown contact, a “safety overview” will pop up before they can view any messages. This measure is designed to alert users and provide essential information about the group.
The safety overview will include details such as the group’s creation date, the identity of the inviter, and the total number of members. Additionally, it will issue warnings about potential scams and offer guidance on how to restrict who can invite users to group chats on the platform. After reviewing the safety overview, users can opt to leave the group without engaging with the chat.
This new feature builds on WhatsApp’s previous implementation of context cards, which provide key information about groups. Unlike context cards that appear for all invitations, the safety overviews will function as an interstitial page triggered specifically by invites from unknown contacts.
WhatsApp’s initiative is part of a broader strategy to address the growing issue of scams. A recent survey from the Pew Research Center indicates that 73 percent of adults in the US have encountered some form of scam or cyber attack.
In June, WhatsApp collaborated with Meta and OpenAI to dismantle a criminal operation in Cambodia that exploited ChatGPT to send fraudulent job offers via WhatsApp. The scammers then directed victims to Telegram, urging them to “like” videos on TikTok as part of their manipulation. Once trust was established, they lured victims into depositing money into cryptocurrency accounts.
Additionally, WhatsApp identified various scam tactics, including a rental scooter pyramid scheme and investments in cryptocurrency. “By using more platforms, they’re trying to cover their tracks,” commented Clair Deevy, WhatsApp’s director of external affairs. “But it also means that when we are working together, they are exposing themselves to more detection systems and teams across all the platforms at once.”
Beyond group chat safety features, WhatsApp is exploring strategies to prevent scams initiated on other platforms. The company is testing mechanisms to alert users to pause before starting conversations with unknown contacts, thereby enhancing user awareness and security.
This comprehensive approach underscores WhatsApp’s commitment to enhancing user safety while navigating the increasing prevalence of online scams, ensuring that users remain informed and protected against potential threats, reports 24brussels.
