WhatsApp has responded to user complaints regarding the surge in spam calls by launching a new feature that allows users to automatically silence calls from unknown numbers.
Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Facebook (WhatsApp’s parent company), unveiled this feature during a recent announcement that also introduced a comprehensive privacy checkup option.
With the growing concern over privacy and control, Zuckerberg stated;
“You can now automatically silence incoming calls from unknown contacts on WhatsApp for even more privacy and control.“
This feature aims to provide users with a means to avoid disruptions and maintain their privacy while using the popular messaging platform.
To activate this option, users can navigate to the Settings menu, then select Privacy and Calls, and finally enable the “Silence unknown caller” feature.
Once activated, calls from unknown numbers will be muted automatically.
However, these calls will still be visible in the app’s call list and notifications, allowing users to verify later if the call originated from someone they know but haven’t saved in their contacts.
When receiving a call from an unknown number, users will see the phone number displayed alongside the message “silenced unknown number.”
This clear indication ensures that users are aware of the silenced calls and helps maintain a clutter-free calling experience.
In addition to the call silencing feature, WhatsApp has introduced a new privacy checkup option.
Accessible within the Privacy section, this feature guides users through a series of steps to enhance their awareness of various privacy controls.
These controls include “Choose who can contact you,” “Control your personal info,” “Add more privacy to your chats,” and “Add more protection to your account.”
During the privacy checkup process, users can customize settings such as enabling two-factor authentication, determining who can add them to groups, setting a default timer for disappearing messages, and controlling who can view their profile picture.
This comprehensive approach empowers users to proactively manage their privacy settings and safeguard their personal information.
With these latest updates, WhatsApp aims to provide its users with increased privacy and control over their messaging and calling experiences.
By introducing the call silencing feature and privacy checkup option, WhatsApp continues to prioritize user satisfaction while addressing concerns regarding spam calls and privacy on the platform.