WhatsApp has recently introduced two new features aimed at enhancing user privacy and functionality. These features, reported by WABetainfo, are available in the WhatsApp beta version 2.24.8.4 and offer users more control over their chats and status updates.
Firstly, WhatsApp now allows users to lock individual chats on companion smartphones, extending the previous capability available only on the primary device. Previously, users could lock individual chats with a passcode, but this feature was limited to the primary smartphone. With the latest update, users can now set a unique passcode to lock chats on companion devices as well. This adds an extra layer of security and privacy for users, ensuring that their conversations remain protected even across multiple devices. To enable this feature, users need to set a secret passcode on all companion devices, which must match the passcode configured on the primary device. Additionally, users can also use biometric authentication to protect or unlock locked chats on WhatsApp.
Secondly, WhatsApp has introduced the private mentions feature, allowing users to notify selected individuals when posting a status. This feature is currently available in the latest version of WhatsApp beta for iOS. With private mentions, users can tag specific individuals in their status updates, ensuring that only those tagged individuals can see the mention while the status remains invisible to others. This feature adds a level of discretion and privacy to status updates, allowing users to communicate with specific contacts without broadcasting the message to everyone on their contact list.
In addition to these new features, WhatsApp is also testing several other updates, including the display of an end-to-end encryption badge. This badge will provide users with a visual indication that their conversations are encrypted, enhancing transparency and security within the platform.
As part of a major update, WhatsApp has also made changes to the navigation bar, relocating it from the top to the bottom of the app interface. This redesign aims to improve user experience by making it easier to access menu options and navigate through the app’s features. By moving the navigation bar to the bottom, users can more conveniently access essential functions, enhancing the overall usability of the WhatsApp application.
Overall, these new features and updates demonstrate WhatsApp’s commitment to continuously improving user privacy and functionality. By introducing features like chat locking on companion devices and private mentions in status updates, WhatsApp aims to provide users with more control over their interactions and communications within the platform. Additionally, ongoing testing and updates ensure that WhatsApp remains at the forefront of innovation, delivering a secure and user-friendly messaging experience for millions of users worldwide.
