Stories
WhatsApp Introduces New Scam Alert Feature to Protect Users from Unknown Number Fraud
- •WhatsApp is developing a new Scam Alert feature to warn users in a timely manner about fraudulent messages from unknown numbers.
- •The feature uses a machine learning model on the phone to analyze message patterns and identify potential scam indicators without compromising chat privacy.
- •When a suspicious message is detected, users will receive an alert inside the chat and can choose to block, report, or mark the chat as trusted.
- •The Scam Alert setting is currently rolling out gradually to selected beta users and is not yet available for everyone or iPhone users.
- •Keeping the Scam Alert enabled is completely optional and the final decision to take action always remains with the user.
Key Questions Answered
The Scam Alert feature specifically monitors messages coming from unknown numbers using an on-device machine learning model that analyzes message patterns. If a fraud indicator is detected, an alert appears in the chat, allowing the user to block, report, or mark the chat as trusted.
Users can turn on the feature by opening WhatsApp, going to settings, tapping on Account, and looking for the Scam Alert option. However, the feature is currently rolling out to selected beta users and is not yet available for everyone or on iPhones.
No, chat privacy is fully maintained because Meta claims that the examination of suspicious messages is performed directly on the user's phone itself. The content is never sent to WhatsApp or Meta, and the feature does not automatically report any chats.
