WhatsApp, owned by Meta, has rolled out a handy new feature that lets users block spam messages right from their phone's lock screen. This move comes as a response to the ongoing problem of spam flooding users' inboxes and aims to give folks more control over their messaging experience.
Spam messages have been a real headache for WhatsApp users, bombarding them with all sorts of unwanted stuff like ads and scams. With this new feature, WhatsApp hopes to beef up user privacy and security while making messaging less of a hassle.
Here's how it works
When a spam message pops up on your lock screen, you can now long-press on it to see options, including blocking the sender right then and there, without having to unlock your phone or open the app. WhatsApp even encourages you to report the pesky sender.
What's more, WhatsApp already gives you a heads-up about unknown numbers, offering choices to add, block, or report them. And if you want to get proactive about blocking, you can head to Settings > Privacy > Blocked contacts > Add, and then choose who you want to block.
Read more: WhatsApp to launch its own file-sharing system
Now, about privacy concerns: Currently, WhatsApp requires users to register their phone numbers, which means anyone with your digits can message you. But the company is looking into ways to connect users without needing to swap numbers.
On top of that, WhatsApp is gearing up to launch cross-platform messaging, allowing users from different messaging apps to chat with WhatsApp users. A new section called "Third Party Chats" will be added to the app's home screen, neatly separating messages from other platforms from WhatsApp's own encrypted chats.
