Meta Rolls Out “Strict Account Settings” for WhatsApp to Combat Advanced Spyware.
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Meta Platforms has officially introduced a groundbreaking “High-Security” feature for WhatsApp, officially called Strict Account Settings, designed to provide the strongest protection in the app’s history. This advanced update comes as a direct response to increasing cyber threats and the need for extreme safeguards against sophisticated spyware. The new mode effectively reduces the “attack surface” by automatically blocking media and attachments from unknown senders and silencing calls from unsaved contacts.
Understanding that user experience is key, WhatsApp has made this feature optional, allowing users to trade some convenience for “device-level hardening”. While standard end-to-end encryption remains the default, this mode disables link previews and enforces contact-only visibility for profile photos and “last seen” status. The rollout is currently underway and is expected to reach all iOS and Android users globally in the coming weeks, marking a new era of digital safety for high-risk individuals.
