A few days after Meta was charged with the use of WhatsApp under its flag for instant communications alleged to have made false statements of privacy, the company introduced a new facility to protect users from cyberattacks. This feature, entitled “Script Account Settings”, adds a number of limitations, such as the automatic blocking of media files and attachments from unknown senders and the call of silent unknown numbers. When this setting is activated, the link preview will be closed and the option to block a large number of unknown messages will be opened.
When the user opens this option, two steps of authentication will then be opened by default and the security notice activated, and the user will receive a reminder when the authentication code of the chat object changes. In addition, WhatsApp will limit the visibility of “last-line” and online status; personal data photographs, status information and links to information will be available only to contact persons. If this new, strict protection layer is enabled, only the user contact (or a person selected in advance from the contact) can pull you into the group.
The speaker of the WhatsApp said that this “blocking” function would be rolled out in the coming weeks, particularly for journalists and public figures. Meta wrote in the functional description: “This is an optional, closed security function that, when activated, reduces the vulnerability of users to cyberattacks by limiting it. Your account will be locked into a more private setting, and your chat with someone other than your contact will be limited. Users can access this setting by “Setting > Privacy > Advanced”. Meta emphasizes that users can only change this setting from their main device and cannot do so through a companion platform such as web or Windows.
The functionality was introduced at a time when Meta was accused of making false statements about whatsApp security protection measures. The lawsuit stated that the company “stored, analysed and had access to the so-called “private” communications of almost all of the Whitsapp users”. In response, Wil Cascatal, the head of whatsapp, refuted these allegations, stating that he “has no legal basis but to take the lead”.
