Want to protect your chats? This WhatsApp feature will soon add an extra layer of security
The authentication feature is already available on iOS device, and it is expected to be soon rolled out for Android users as part of the beta update.
Scared of what happens to your private messages and all the data shared through WhatsApp in case you misplace your phone? The Facebook-owned messaging platform might soon have a solution for this, at least by way of an extra layer of protection for all your chats, in the form of a new option for biometric authentication.
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Currently in testing mode, the feature once enabled, will flash a display informing the user that the app is locked, each time someone tries to open the app. For Android users, this means that they can natively lock the app using the fingerprint sensor, thus ensuring that their WhatsApp chats and data are doubly secure.
This authentication option is already available on iOS device, and it is expected to be rolled out for Android users as part of the beta update for version 2.19.83. Once it’s added, users can scroll to their WhatsApp settings, account, and then privacy, to enable the fingerprint lock feature. The brand new feature was spotted by WABetaInfo, a dedicated website tracking all WhatsApp-related updates and news, and simultaneously has been reported by other news sites as well.
“When you enable Use fingerprint to unlock, WhatsApp will ask your fingerprint to confirm the operation,” the website reported.
Following which a user can configure the authentication feature to lock the app immediately or after one minute, 10 minutes, or after 30 minutes.
In addition to this, there’s word on the much anticipated dark mode from WhatsApp. For the longest time, tech sites tracking fresh developments have talked about WhatsApp introducing a darker theme for a better night-time experience. Just like Facebook Messenger, which is said to have tested out the feature ealier.
If WABetaInfo’s latest report is to be believed, the dark mode could soon become a reality, with a dark grey theme and green icons and heading, WhatsApp’s signature style.
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