The widely-used cross-platform messaging application, WhatsApp, has remained highly active this year, aligning itself with the strategies of its parent company, the tech giant Meta. This is evident through the consistent rollout of new features, including the ability for users to log into two accounts simultaneously and the innovative ‘Quick Action Bar’ feature for Android users, among others. Despite the numerous updates, WhatsApp shows no signs of slowing down. The latest focus is on privacy, with the introduction of WhatsApp’s new privacy feature aimed at safeguarding IP addresses during calls. In a world where data leaks are a common concern, this update draws significant attention, prompting users to explore this well-utilised platform’s latest privacy enhancement.
Why Was WhatsApp’s New Privacy Feature Developed?
WhatsApp’s new privacy feature is called “Protect IP Address in Calls” within their messaging service. This functionality conceals users’ IP addresses from other participants by routing calls through WhatsApp servers.
This feature was developed as there was this privacy loophole: Before this update, one-to-one calls on WhatsApp operated as direct peer-to-peer connections, prioritising voice quality but necessitating the exposure of IP addresses between connected devices. The exposure of IP addresses may be an idea caught up by individuals with malicious intent to execute their actions on their victims. This potential loophole may help in increasing online crime or other related privacy leaks that may expose users’ location privacy.
Indeed, the primary concept of WhatsApp’s new privacy feature is to increase the difficulty for malicious entities in the call to deduce a user’s location by securely transmitting the connection through WhatsApp servers. Thus, WhatsApp has adopted this new method by channelling all calls through its servers to effectively hide users’ IP addresses and obscure their locations.
In a statement provided to The Hacker News, the company emphasised, “Calls are encrypted end-to-end, ensuring that even when relayed through WhatsApp servers, the company cannot eavesdrop on your calls.” This statement probably raised many eyebrows as this statement ensures the seriousness and quality of providing personal privacy when using the app.
Besides, it’s essential to highlight that the development of this “Protect IP Address in Calls” feature has been underway since at least late August 2023, as previously reported by WABetaInfo.
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A Closer Look at How WhatsApp’s New Privacy Feature Benefit Us
WhatsApp stated that when this feature is activated, all your calls will be routed through WhatsApp’s servers, preventing other participants from viewing your IP address and thereby discerning your approximate geographical location. Moreover, their spokesperson once again highlighted their concern on this privacy matter by claiming that WhatsApp’s new privacy feature – “Protect IP Address in Calls” introduces an extra level of privacy and security, specifically tailored for WhatsApp users who prioritise privacy.
WhatsApp’s new privacy feature extends the capabilities of a previously introduced privacy feature known as “Silence Unknown Callers”. This feature not only shields users from undesired contacts but also reduces the potential for zero-click attacks and spyware. In fact, WhatsApp’s implementation of muted calls utilises a custom protocol crafted to minimise the processing of data controlled by attackers, incorporating a privacy token.
WhatsApp stated, “When initiating a call, the caller includes the recipient’s privacy token in the protocol message.” They continued, “Subsequently, the server assesses the token’s validity and other factors to ascertain if the intended recipient permits the caller to ring them.” “Importantly, to safeguard user privacy, the server gains no insight into the precise relationship between the caller and the recipient from the token. With this feature design, calling becomes a less appealing avenue for attackers.”
With the assurance of user privacy, it may seem to provide us with the best, but nothing is perfect – opting for the privacy feature comes with a minor compromise, resulting in a slight decrease in call quality.
Also Read: Whatsapp Works on ‘Chat Interoperability’ to Meet New EU Regulatory Demands
How Do I Enable WhatsApp’s New Privacy Feature on My WhatsApp?
For instance, WhatsApp’s new privacy feature – “Protect IP Address in Calls” is gradually being introduced to Android and iOS users, implying that you may not observe it on your device right away. It might require some patience, but after updating the app, you can check for the option. If you find it, here are instructions on how to activate the feature.
How to conceal your IP address during WhatsApp calls:
1. Update to the latest version of WhatsApp.
2. Open WhatsApp and tap Settings.
3. Select Privacy.
4. Tap Advanced.
5. Toggle on the switch next to Protect IP address in calls.
In addition, group calls on WhatsApp are inherently routed through the company’s servers by default, removing the necessity to manually activate this setting for group conversations.
The Rising Concerns on User Privacy
In light of the underlying rationale behind the development of WhatsApp’s new privacy feature, it becomes evident that the escalating threat of online data leaks to the broader community is rapidly emerging as a significant concern within the realm of ever-present cybersecurity issues. The increasing incidence of reported scam incidents, both acknowledged by authorities and shared by victims, underscores the evolving and diverse tactics employed by certain individuals who exploit features offered by high-traffic platforms originally designed for users’ benefit. This widespread challenge has prompted the swift implementation of various security measures across community-centric platforms, all aimed at fortifying user privacy and security.
Notably, this recently introduced WhatsApp’s new privacy feature is not the only privacy enhancement this year; earlier in April, the platform rolled out additional security features like account protection, device verification, and automatic security codes. Furthermore, the recent unveiling of Samsung’s Gauss and Galaxy AI underscores privacy as a major selling point for their AIs. This ongoing discourse consistently prompts individuals to contemplate the significance of safeguarding their privacy and security in the online domain.
A Final Reminder
WhatsApp‘s new privacy feature, “Protect IP Address in Calls”, is expected to be included in every user’s update shortly, promising enhanced privacy. It is crucial for users to understand how to maximise the utility of these features and possess the knowledge to safeguard themselves online, ensuring they do not fall prey to potential threats.
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