Facebook-owned WhatsApp has literally left on the chance to talk about its end-to-end encryption messaging service, however, this is not the only privacy feature on WhatsApp. WhatsApp has a host of other features that give users control over their privacy.
Here are some features that make chatting on WhatsApp different than other similar platforms:
- Two-step Authentication
With the two-step authentication feature on WhatsApp, it adds an optional security layer to one’s application. When that is enabled, WhatsApp asks users for a six-digital passcode, whenever one logs in, with your WhatsApp account on another phone.
Here, the code is different from OTP, so in case someone has your SIM, no one can use your WhatsApp account. Also, WhatsApp asks about this passcode once every 72 hours, in order to ensure that the account is safe.
- Biometric Lock
Most Android phones come up with custom skins on top, with some form of an app lock. It’s usually more secure to use the native biometric lock on WhatsApp.
Nowadays, WhatsApp for Android has the option to set fingerprint lock for the app, and on iPhones, it comes with an option of setting the FaceID or TouchID for the app.
- Monitor Who Can Add You In A Group
As per the new Group settings of WhatsApp, everyone is allowed to choose who can add one in a group. There is this option of selecting among ‘Everyone’, ‘My Contacts’, and ‘Nobody’.
This is a major relief for WhatsApp users, as it saves one, from the trouble of people adding one to random groups.
- Your Display Picture Must Be Private
There is this option in WhatsApp where you can set your DP private. The option allows you to set it to be seen by ‘Everyone’, ‘My Contacts’, and ‘Nobody’.
- Hide Your Last Seen
Hiding your last seen would actually help in securing your privacy. In order to do this, you have to go to Settings>Accounts>Privacy and tap on ‘Last Seen’. You would get to see three options – ‘Everyone’, ‘My Contacts’, and ‘Nobody’.
Also, there is an option to turn off read receipts or blue ticks. But, read receipts are always on for group chats, and one can’t turn them off.,