WhatsApp is Adding New Anti-Scam Tools

WhatsApp has started rolling out new tools to protect users from the increasingly sophisticated scam efforts many users may be facing while using the messaging app. The company also detailed today its efforts to disrupt scam centers targeting millions of people around the world.

“In the first six months of this year, as part of our ongoing proactive work to protect people from scams, WhatsApp detected and banned over 6.8 million accounts linked to scam centers,” the company said today. “Based on our investigative insights into the latest enforcement efforts, we proactively detected and took down accounts before scam centers were able to operationalize them.”

Scammers may send messages and group invites to random users on WhatsApp, and the app’s new anti-scam tools are designed to better inform users about solicitations from people who aren’t in their contacts. When receiving an invite from a stranger to join a WhatsApp group, the app will now show a safety overview showing key information about the group and safety tips before users can see the group chat.

WhatsApp will also test new ways to protect users from individual messages from strangers. “For example, we’re exploring ways to caution you when you start a chat with someone not in your contacts by showing you additional context about who you’re messaging so you can make an informed decision,” the team explained today.

WhatsApp crossed over 3 billion monthly active users earlier this year, and Meta has the responsibility to protect its user base from scams in private messages. While these new tools may help WhatsApp users stay safe while messaging, the company is also working with OpenAI to disrupt efforts from scammers using ChatGPT to generate their initial messages.