WhatsApp has introduced new security features aimed at enhancing account protection for its users. The messaging platform, owned by Meta, is implementing stronger two-step verification, allowing users to set a longer, alphanumeric password with special characters, replacing the previous six-digit PIN. Additionally, WhatsApp now permits users to add multiple passkeys to their accounts, which is particularly beneficial for individuals using both iOS and Android devices. Passkeys, launched by WhatsApp in 2024, offer a more secure login method using biometric authentication like Face ID or fingerprint, reducing reliance on traditional username and password combinations that are vulnerable to phishing attacks.

Furthermore, WhatsApp is providing Android users with additional context during calls from unknown numbers, such as indicating whether the caller’s number is from a different country and if they share any groups with the recipient. These updates align with a broader industry trend among messaging apps, including Signal and Telegram, to simplify and strengthen account security measures in response to increasingly sophisticated phishing and hacking attempts. The new features complement recent WhatsApp enhancements, such as the introduction of usernames in late June and the launch of a subscription plan, WhatsApp Plus, in late May, which offers extra functionalities like profile customization and story insights. Read more at TechCrunch

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