WhatsApp rolling out feature that stops scammers from adding you to groups


FILE PHOTO: A man poses with a smartphone in front of displayed Whatsapp logo in this illustration September 14, 2017. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/File photo

Popular messaging platform WhatsApp is rolling out a new update that will allow users to block others from adding them into groups automatically.

Users will be given three options – Everyone, My Contacts and Nobody. If you choose Nobody then you will be sent an invite via a private message when a person tries to add you to a group.

You can chose to ignore this invite if you don’t want to be added, as the invite will expire in three days.  

WhatsApp, in a statement to NDTV, said that this feature has been long-requested by users.

“WhatsApp groups continue to connect family, friends, coworkers, classmates and more. As people turn to groups for important conversations, users have asked for more control over their experience. With these new features, users will have more control over the group messages they receive,” the company stated in the statement.

Some parties have been auto adding people to groups to spread fake news and malicious rumours, and scammers also auto add users to spam them with links to gambling sites.

The feature is already available to users in India and is being rolled out globally in stages.

Once the feature is available, users will be able to access it from Settings, according to Gadgets360. Click on Account > Privacy > Groups and you’ll find “Who can add me to groups” under this tab.

Limited time offer:
Just RM5 per month.

Monthly Plan

RM13.90/month
RM5/month

Billed as RM5/month for the 1st 6 months then RM13.90 thereafters.

Annual Plan

RM12.33/month

Billed as RM148.00/year

1 month

Free Trial

For new subscribers only


Cancel anytime. No ads. Auto-renewal. Unlimited access to the web and app. Personalised features. Members rewards.
Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

WhatsApp , Group Chats , Privacy Settings

   

Next In Tech News

L3Harris raises top end of 2024 adjusted earnings outlook amid global tensions
Microsoft results top Wall Street targets, driven by AI investment
Google parent announces first-ever dividend; beats on sales, profit; shares soar
Health conglomerate Kaiser notifies millions of a data breach
Intel shares tumble as forecast misses estimates
Snap beats first-quarter expectations, shares jump 25%
T-Mobile raises forecast for subscriber additions on strength from bundled plans
Crypto firm Consensys sues US SEC over Ethereum regulation
Warner Bros Discovery to launch data platform for better ad-targeting
Microsoft-backed Rubrik's stock jumps 21% in NYSE debut

Others Also Read