WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.20.16: what's new?
WhatsApp is rolling out a new update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.24.20.16.
What's new in this update? WhatsApp is rolling out a security feature to block messages from unknown accounts, and it's available to some beta testers!
| Common questions | Answers |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature? | Block messages from unknown accounts |
| Status? | Rolling out |
| Compatibility? | WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.20.16 is marked as a compatible update. |
| I've installed this update but I don't have this feature. Why? | This feature is available to some beta testers, and it is rolling out to more users over the coming weeks. |
| Thanks: | Akan and kingcyrious, for testing and reporting. |
| Previous news? | WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.20.13: what's new? WhatsApp is working on a feature to create filters from the chats list! |
BLOCK MESSAGES FROM UNKNOWN ACCOUNTS
In the article about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.17.24 update, we announced that WhatsApp was working on a feature to block messages from unknown accounts. This feature would have allowed users to automatically block incoming messages from unknown accounts if they exceeded a certain volume, helping to protect against unwanted or potentially harmful communications. It appears that WhatsApp is now testing this feature with the public, as some beta testers can experiment with an option to manage message filtering from unknown accounts. Thanks to the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.20.16 update, which is available on the Google Play Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is rolling out a security feature to block messages from unknown accounts!
As you can see from the attached screenshot, some beta testers can explore a new security feature to block high volumes of unknown messages directly within the app settings. To enable this option, users can navigate to their privacy settings under the Advanced section, where the new block unknown account messages option is available. Once enabled, this feature will automatically block messages from unknown accounts if they exceed a high volume, providing users with better protection against unwanted communications.
It is important note that this feature does not block all unknown messages when it is turned on. Instead, it specifically targets accounts that are sending an unusually large number of messages in a short period. This ensures that users still receive important messages from unknown contacts, while also protecting their device performance by preventing spam overload. The algorithm will track message rates from unknown accounts and automatically lift the block when the messaging volume returns to normal. As a result, users are not permanently blocking all unknown contacts but only those engaging in suspicious activity. It is worth noting that WhatsApp will also recommend enabling this feature if it detects that a user is receiving a significant amount of messages from unknown accounts, helping to safeguard against potential spam or phishing attempts.
A security feature to block messages from unknown accounts is available to some beta testers who install the latest updates of WhatsApp beta for Android from the Google Play Store, and it is rolling out to even more people over the coming weeks.
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