WhatsApp is stepping up its fight against online scams with the launch of new safety features and the removal of more than 6.8 million scam-linked accounts, the Meta-owned company announced Tuesday.
The updates are designed to help users detect scams in both group and individual chats, making the messaging platform safer for its global user base.
Group Chat Protection
One major update is a “safety overview” notification for group chats. If someone who isn’t in your contact list adds you to a group, WhatsApp will display key details about the group, such as whether the invite is in your contacts or if anyone in the group is already known to you.
You’ll also get safety tips and context before engaging with the group. Notifications from such chats will remain muted by default until you confirm whether you want to stay.
Individual Chat Warnings
Scammers often initiate contact on public platforms before moving to private messaging apps like WhatsApp. To counter this, WhatsApp is testing new warnings that provide context when users start chatting with someone who isn’t in their contacts. These alerts are designed to raise red flags before a scam can progress.
AI-Powered Scam Disruption
WhatsApp also shared details about a recent operation with OpenAI that helped disrupt an elaborate scam traced back to a criminal center in Cambodia. The scam involved fake job tasks, cryptocurrency schemes, and social engineering tactics.
According to WhatsApp, scammers used ChatGPT to create the first message with a link to WhatsApp. Victims were then redirected to Telegram, where they were assigned tasks such as liking TikTok videos. Eventually, scammers would ask them to deposit money into a crypto account, claiming it was required to unlock their earnings.
Related: Mark Zuckerberg Credits AI for Boosting User Engagement on Facebook and Instagram
How Users Can Stay Safe
WhatsApp advises users to pause and evaluate messages before replying, especially those involving urgent actions or money. If a message seems suspicious, double-check the sender’s identity through another communication method.
“Take a moment to ask if the message feels real,” the company said. “Scams often rely on urgency or impersonation to succeed.”
