WhatsApp is introducing a significant security feature dubbed Strict Account Security Mode, designed to shield high-risk users from sophisticated cyberattacks.
The mode is highlighted in the latest Android beta and reflects Meta’s most ambitious effort this year to improve privacy protections on its messaging platform.
This new security setting aims to help journalists, activists, and others vulnerable to online threats by allowing them to activate several privacy tools in a single step.
While still in early testing, the optional feature promises to change how WhatsApp responds to scam and fraud risks.
What Is Strict Account Security Mode?
Strict Account Security Mode is an optional upgrade for WhatsApp accounts that automatically enables a set of advanced privacy protections.
The mode is discovered in beta code and not yet publicly available, but once launched, users will be able to safeguard their profiles with one click.
The feature targets people who may face phishing, targeted tracking, or data-harvesting threats.
The mode will be turned off by default, permitting a regular WhatsApp experience for most users.
When activated, the system restricts exposure to unknown contacts and blocks high-risk activities that scammers and cybercriminals often exploit.
Did you know?
WhatsApp banned more than 6.8 million accounts in 2025 to combat large-scale scam operations linked to criminal fraud centers.
Which Protections Does This Mode Activate?
Strict Account Security Mode activates multiple privacy safeguards simultaneously. The measures include masking users' IP addresses during calls, blocking media files and links sent from unfamiliar numbers, and silencing calls from contacts whose identity cannot be confirmed.
Profile information becomes restricted only to known contacts, keeping status updates and profile photos hidden from outsiders.
Additionally, the mode disables link previews in chats, eliminating the risk of IP exposure when WhatsApp connects to outside websites.
Routine two-step verification is enforced alongside instant security alerts, such as notifications if a contact’s encryption code is changed.
How Will High-Risk Users Benefit?
Journalists, activists, and others frequently targeted by malware or location tracking stand to benefit most from this new mode.
By hiding confirmed IP addresses and blocking content from suspicious sources, WhatsApp aims to prevent attackers from gathering intelligence or distributing harmful software.
Users also gain greater control over who can contact them, reducing the risk of harassment or extortion.
Silencing calls and limiting media attachments provide an extra line of defense for those in sensitive roles.
These protections collectively create a safer messaging environment, especially for those with elevated exposure to digital threats.
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Why Is Meta Intensifying User Security Now?
Meta’s broader push to prevent scams and fraud prompted WhatsApp to develop Strict Account Security Mode. In the first half of 2025 alone, WhatsApp removed more than 6.8 million accounts linked to criminal activity.
This new feature follows other improvements like screen-sharing alerts on video calls and enhanced artificial intelligence scam detection on Messenger.
Rising concerns about the spread of surveillance tools, phishing campaigns, and identity theft forced Meta to rethink its defensive strategy.
The stringent new privacy measures reflect the company's commitment to maintaining user safety amid growing cyber threats.
What’s Next for WhatsApp Security?
While the Strict Account Security Mode is in active development and not yet live for testing, analysts expect wider rollout over forthcoming updates.
The system remains optional to help regular users avoid disruption, while those needing more robust protection can opt in as desired.
Meta has yet to announce an official launch date, but continued feature discovery in beta versions signals ongoing progress.
Looking forward, WhatsApp’s integration of automated security tools may redefine digital privacy for messaging apps.
Increased transparency, user education, and proactive response to new threats will be essential in an era of escalating cyber risks for vulnerable populations.
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