In light of the growing cyber threats and online fraud activities, Meta is preparing to launch a new security feature on WhatsApp aimed at protecting users from fake links and identity impersonation attempts, particularly those related to Instagram accounts.
What is the new feature on WhatsApp?
The new feature focuses on verifying the links shared within chats, specifically links leading to Instagram accounts. When a link to an Instagram account is shared, a verification badge (such as a checkmark) will appear next to it, indicating that the link is verified and linked to a genuine account.
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How does the feature work?
Users will need to link their WhatsApp account to the Meta Accounts Center.
Once activated, WhatsApp will recognize links that lead to user-linked accounts and display a trusted verification badge next to them.
Unverified links will remain as they are, without a badge, allowing users to manually check them.
Supported Devices
The feature initially appeared in a beta version on iOS, and is expected to roll out to Android devices later, as part of the anticipated security updates for WhatsApp in 2025.
Why is this feature important?
With the increasing sharing of links in daily WhatsApp conversations, it's easy to fall victim to fraudulent links leading to fake pages or identity impersonation accounts. This new feature provides an extra layer of protection, helping users differentiate between genuine and fake accounts, and enhances the overall security of the user experience.
How to benefit from this feature?
- Update WhatsApp to the latest version as soon as it's available.
- Link your account to the Meta Accounts Center to ensure the verification of your Instagram links.
- Avoid clicking on unverified links unless you are certain of their source.
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In conclusion, this move by Meta highlights its growing commitment to offering effective security solutions across its platforms, providing users with more tools to protect themselves from digital fraud. Stay tuned for this feature coming soon to your phone, and always make sure to verify the source of links before clicking on them.