Technology

Whatsapp just rolled out a new security update to make life difficult for stalkers

Mohammad BilalDecember 13, 2021 | 17:25 IST

Ever since the Whatsapp end-to-end encryption and privacy issues came to light, Whatsapp is leaving no stone unturned to keep its security top-notch. Meta-owned instant messaging app Whatsapp has upgraded its security features. This isn’t an update after a bug reported by a user, but an upgrade from the present security feature initiated by the company itself. It gives a user more privacy against persons with whom one has never had a conversation before from seeing their last seen status.

What does this mean? If you have never had a Whatsapp conversation with someone, they can't see your 'last seen' or if you're 'online' anymore.

THE NEW UPDATE

Whatsapp logo. Photo: Getty Images

An email shared by WABetaInfo, Whatsapp’s customer support, conveyed the information to a Twitter user that this new security feature has been added and that it's also for the business contacts on Whatsapp. This new feature will keep people who you don't know from seeing your 'last seen' time, or your 'online' status on Whatsapp.

BANE FOR STALKERS

The update targets third-party apps or stalkers who could earlier view your 'last seen' and your online presence even though they were not on your contact list (point to note here: Whatsapp 'last seen' could earlier be set to 'Everyone', 'My Contacts' or 'Nobody'; but your 'Online' status could be viewed by everyone, regardless of the 'last seen' settings).

The Whatsapp update became known to everyone after a Twitter user posted a question on whether anyone else was facing the issue of not being able to see another person's 'last seen'. Another Twitter user replied with a screenshot of Whatsapp customer support’s reply.

The reply read, "To improve the privacy and security of our users, we're making it harder for people you don't know and haven't chatted with from seeing your last seen and online presence on WhatsApp. This will not change anything between you and your friends, family, and businesses who you know or have previously messaged."

Screenshot shared by a Twitter user on the new security update. Photo: Twitter

THE RELEVANCE OF THIS MUCH-NEEDED UPDATE

This time, Whatsapp realised a security update was needed much before people asked for  it. The new update has also left many people puzzled. The answer to these questions lie in the unauthorised surveillance by some third-party applications which could see a user’s last seen and online status. Whatsapp released this new update to restrict such activities of third party apps.

Last updated: December 13, 2021 | 17:25
IN THIS STORY
Read more!
Recommended Stories