WhatsApp is working on a new feature that enhances user privacy by adding an extra layer of security when users use the app’s calling functionality. The instant messaging platform recently added a new toggle called ‘Protect IP address in calls’, as the name suggests, prevents malicious threat actors from getting your location and eavesdrop on calls.
First spotted, the new option is currently available on the latest WhatsApp beta for Android and iOS and works by relaying your calls through WhatsApp servers.
The toggle description notes that call quality may take a slight dip, but does not offer any other details. It can be found by heading over to a new Advanced under ‘Privacy’ settings. Even if you enable the feature, WhatsApp says all your calls will be protected via end-to-end encryption, meaning no one including WhatsApp will be able to listen to your conversation.
Currently, the toggle might be visible for select users on the beta version of the app, but the company plans to make it available to everyone in the future. However, WhatsApp has yet to confirm the exact date on when the toggle will be available on the stable version.
In the last few months, WhatsApp developers have been working on new features like a ‘Secret Code’ for locked chats and a new toggle that lets users disable instant video message shortcuts in the chat. The messaging app recently introduced a Telegram-like Channels feature that lets you follow your influencers, celebrities and people, new feature is available in a new section called “Advanced”, placed within the privacy settings screen, which contains the new option, making it harder for anyone in the call to infer users’ location by securely relaying through WhatsApp servers, the privacy call relay feature might have a minor impact on call quality due to the encryption and routing operations of users’ connection during a conversation through WhatsApp servers, the report noted, report stated that the new feature will be highly beneficial against any potential attempts to track user location and IP address, especially when they are on a WhatsApp call with unknown contacts, as it makes it much harder for anyone to track private information, a privacy feature to protect the IP address in calls is available to some beta testers who install the latest version of WhatsApp beta for Android and iOS, it will be rolling out to more users over the coming days, the report added and is rolling out a new revamped interface for the Android application to a limited number of beta testers. The updated interface features new icons to offer users a more modern experience by improving the overall visual appeal of the app.
This move comes in response to local laws requiring the platform to restrict access to specific content within certain regions. This feature will allow WhatsApp to notify the channel creator if their channel’s visibility is restricted in certain countries due to legal requirements, rolling out a new revamped interface for the Android application to a limited number of beta testers, the updated interface features new icons to offer users a more modern experience by improving the overall visual appeal of the app, also updating the predominant theme color for both light and dark modes with a new green color, along with a fresh color look for chat bubbles and the floating action button. With the newly redesigned interface, WhatsApp aims to give its users a more modern and aesthetically pleasing experience, also noted that WhatsApp might gradually introduce small changes to the interface, such as releasing new icons without implementing the new color scheme. Currently available to a limited number of beta testers, the new interface will roll out to more users over the coming weeks.
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