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WhatsApp Rolls Out View-Once Text Messages for Android Users

WhatsApp Rolls Out View-Once Text Messages for Android Users

WhatsApp is introducing a new 'view-once' option for text messages on Android, allowing users to send messages that disappear after the recipient opens them. This feature, currently rolling out to some beta testers, aims to enhance privacy and control over sensitive information shared in chats. When a view-once text message is sent, the recipient must tap it to read the content in a separate interface. Once this screen is closed, the message cannot be reopened and is replaced by an 'opened' indicator in the chat. WhatsApp has implemented several protections for these messages, including blocking screenshots and screen recordings, and preventing recipients from copying, forwarding, or saving the text. This functionality mirrors the existing view-once option for photos, videos, and voice notes, providing a consistent privacy tool across different media types within the application.
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Meta's WhatsApp Introduces New Business Platform Pricing and Enhanced Security Features

Meta's WhatsApp Introduces New Business Platform Pricing and Enhanced Security Features

Meta's WhatsApp Introduces New Business Platform Pricing and Enhanced Security Features
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WhatsApp Beta Introduces New Contacts Tab on iOS, Replacing Communities Feature

WhatsApp Beta Introduces New Contacts Tab on iOS, Replacing Communities Feature

WhatsApp is rolling out a new Contacts tab in its latest iOS beta version, which is replacing the existing Communities tab in the app's bottom navigation bar. This new feature aims to transform the contact list into a more dynamic social directory, displaying online friends, favorites, and recently active users prominently. The Contacts tab allows users to see who is online without opening individual chats, potentially altering how conversations are initiated on the platform. Users can sort their contacts by activity, alphabetical order, or birthdays. The activity view highlights online contacts with a green dot and lists recently active contacts by their last seen status. For those who have privacy settings enabled to hide their online status, the tab will not display any activity information. The Communities feature, while no longer having a dedicated tab, has been moved under a filter within the Chats tab, allowing users to manage their communities from there. This change is also being tested on the And...
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WhatsApp Tests New Contacts Hub on iOS, Potentially Replacing Communities Tab

WhatsApp Tests New Contacts Hub on iOS, Potentially Replacing Communities Tab

WhatsApp is currently testing a new Contacts hub for its iOS beta users, which could replace the existing Communities tab in the app's bottom navigation bar. This new hub aims to streamline contact management by featuring favorite contacts at the top and offering sorting options by activity, alphabetical order, and upcoming birthdays. The activity sort will highlight online contacts with a green dot and organize recently active contacts by their last seen status. Users will also be able to add new contacts directly and sync them with their iPhone's address book. While the Communities feature itself will not be removed, it is expected to be relocated to a dedicated filter within the Chats tab. This development follows earlier testing of a Contacts hub and a green dot indicator for online contacts, indicating a broader effort by WhatsApp to enhance user interaction and contact visibility.
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Coca-Cola Faces Class Action Lawsuit Over Alleged Cookie Tracking After Rejection

Coca-Cola Faces Class Action Lawsuit Over Alleged Cookie Tracking After Rejection

Coca-Cola Faces Class Action Lawsuit Over Alleged Cookie Tracking After Rejection
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What IoT Security: Building a Roadmap Actually Looks Like in a Real Incident

What IoT Security: Building a Roadmap Actually Looks Like in a Real Incident

A practical guide to navigating an IoT security breach, this piece walks through the key stages of incident response, from detection to recovery.
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Why the Safest Claude Prompt Might Be the One That Leaves Out Your Name

Why the Safest Claude Prompt Might Be the One That Leaves Out Your Name

Using personal information like your name in AI prompts might seem harmless, but it carries privacy risks. Here’s why and how to protect yourself.
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Why Cloud Security Engineers Matter More in Cloud Environments

Why Cloud Security Engineers Matter More in Cloud Environments

Discover why the role of a cloud security engineer is no longer a luxury but a core necessity for navigating the complex, automated world of modern cloud computing.
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WhatsApp Introduces Usernames and Phone Number Privacy Features to Enhance User Control

WhatsApp Introduces Usernames and Phone Number Privacy Features to Enhance User Control

WhatsApp is rolling out new privacy features, including the implementation of usernames and the ability to hide phone numbers from unknown contacts. This update, initially spotted in the latest Android beta, aims to significantly improve user privacy during messaging interactions. According to WABetaInfo, configuring a username will automatically hide a user's phone number from individuals who do not already have them saved in their contacts list. This new functionality is integrated into the privacy settings page, alongside existing controls for profile pictures and last seen status. The messaging service will offer four visibility options for managing phone number exposure: 'Everyone,' 'My contacts,' 'My contacts except,' and 'Nobody.' By default, the feature will be pre-configured to 'Nobody,' ensuring that phone numbers are only visible to contacts already saved in a user's directory. This enhancement is currently limited to select beta testers but is expected to be released to the public in the near f...
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WhatsApp Tests New Phone Number Privacy Feature for Enhanced User Control

WhatsApp Tests New Phone Number Privacy Feature for Enhanced User Control

WhatsApp is developing a new privacy feature that will allow users greater control over the visibility of their phone numbers. This upcoming option will enable users to decide who can see their numbers during chats and calls, aiming to protect personal information. According to technology reports, the feature has appeared in a new Android beta version, suggesting WhatsApp is working on additional privacy settings. This development follows WhatsApp's introduction of a username feature in June 2026, which allows users to contact others without sharing their phone numbers. The new privacy feature will specifically benefit users who have a WhatsApp username, as it will not hide numbers from contacts who already possess them. Under the proposed system, users will have four privacy options: Everyone, My Contacts, My Contacts Except, and Nobody, allowing them to choose who can view their phone numbers during conversations and calls. The feature is currently under development and not yet available to beta testers,...
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WhatsApp Rolls Out New Contacts Tab for iOS Beta Users, Replacing Communities Tab

WhatsApp Rolls Out New Contacts Tab for iOS Beta Users, Replacing Communities Tab

WhatsApp Rolls Out New Contacts Tab for iOS Beta Users, Replacing Communities Tab
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Android Devices Vulnerable to 'SMS of Death' Attack Affecting Older OS Versions

Android Devices Vulnerable to 'SMS of Death' Attack Affecting Older OS Versions

A vulnerability dubbed the 'SMS of Death' has been identified in Android devices, allowing attackers to crash active calls and potentially render handsets unusable through malformed WAP Push messages. This flaw, disclosed by independent security researcher Mark Blaszczyk, exploits how the Android OS processes the header of a WAP Push message. Upon receiving a specially crafted message, the `com.android.phone` process, which manages voice calls, crashes. Repeated messages can lead to the device becoming inoperable without any user interaction. While Google has released a security update for Android versions 14.0 and newer, approximately 25% of Android users globally are still running older versions and remain vulnerable if their handset manufacturers do not provide a fix. Observations by Enea’s Threat Intelligence Unit in North American networks showed a spike in attack activity following public disclosure and subsequent media coverage.