Amazing new privacy features introduced by whatsapp

All social media users, at one time or the other, wish to send that message they want the receiver to delete after reading. There are also times social media users want to stay online but not publicize their presence. To achieve these, Whatsapp has introduced new user-friendly privacy features.

“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,” Mark Zuckerberg said. He added that they “will keep building new ways to protect your messages and keep them as private and secure as face-to-face conversations.”

Whatsapp announced the new features on Tuesday. With the new features, receivers of messages will not be allowed to take screenshots of messages, control who can see when they are online, and Whatsapp group members can silently exit a group.

“Seeing when friends or family are online helps users feel connected to one another, but everyone has had times when they wanted to check their WhatsApp privately. For the times you want to keep your online presence private, WhatsApp is introducing the ability to select who can and can’t see when you’re online,” WhatsApp said in a statement on Tuesday.

Although the “view once” feature is already in Whatsapp, it has now been modified, and users can no longer screenshot a “view once message.”

“Now WhatsApp is enabling screenshot blocking for View Once messages for an added layer of protection. This feature is being tested and will be rolled out to users soon,” it said.

The statement added that the decision was taken after investigations reveal that 51% of users prefer to stay hidden online and select whom to chat with.

“For the times when you need more privacy, 51% prefer to stay hidden online to choose who they want to talk to. 91% of people who are aware of blocking features believe they are important. That is why WhatsApp is introducing new layers of protection that enable users to speak freely and have private conversations,” the statement added.

SPREADING AWARENESS OF THE NEW FEATURES

The goal of Whatsapp is to sell its product to as many people as possible. To publicize the new features, Whatsapp is embarking on a campaign, starting with the UK and India.

“We believe WhatsApp is the most secure place to have a private conversation. And to spread the word about these new features, we’re 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,” Ami Vora, Head of Product at WhatsApp, said.

The group said the new features were Whatsapp’s way of ensuring a safe chatting environment for users.

“Over the years, we’ve added interlocking layers of protection to help keep their conversations secure, and the new features is one way we continue to deliver on our commitment to keep messages private,” Ami Vora added.