WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.20.28: what's new?

WhatsApp is rolling out a new update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.24.20.28.
What's new in this update? WhatsApp is working on a new feature to search links on the web, and it will be available in a future update!

In the article about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.16.6 update, we announced that WhatsApp was rolling out new safety tools aimed at enhancing user security when interacting with unknown contacts. These tools include a new safety screen that appears the first time a user receives a message from an unknown phone number, offering guidance on how to handle such interactions safely. Users are given the option to block or report unknown contacts, and additional information is provided on how to stay safe by checking the profile name, profile photo, and country code. It appears that WhatsApp is committed to developing additional features to enhance user safety, especially when handling message links. Thanks to the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.20.28 update, which is available on the Google Play Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is working on a new feature to search links on the web!

As you can see from the attached screenshot, WhatsApp is exploring an improved feature to quickly search links on the web, scheduled for release in a future update of the app. Although the ability to search links is already available, WhatsApp is currently refining this feature to make the process clearer for users in the future. This feature is particularly useful for links found in frequently forwarded messages, as these may contain misinformation or malicious content. The updated feature will introduce a redesigned bottom sheet that provides a detailed explanation of how it works. When users choose to search for more information about a link, only the specific message containing the link will be uploaded to Google for the search. It is worth noting that this operation does not share the message with WhatsApp, as WhatsApp ensures that the content remains private and it is not stored or processed by their servers. This added layer of privacy reassures users that their personal messages are not being shared or used for any other purpose beyond the link search.

With this update, users will see a prompt explaining that they can either search for more information about the link itself or simply search the text within the message. This option allows users to view search results from all pages related to that link on Google, helping them to verify the authenticity of the content. The refined feature aims to make it easier for users to identify potentially harmful links and take appropriate action. It is important to note that the search operation is entirely optional and only occurs if the user initiates it, making sure that users maintain complete control over their data and browsing activities.

A new feature to search links on the web is under development and it will be available in a future update. We will keep you updated with an additional article as soon as we have more details to share about this feature.

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