WhatsApp Tightens its Grip on Privacy: Unpacking the New "Gossip Lock"
To ensure complete privacy in WhatsApp conversations: - Private conversations on WhatsApp will receive ultimate protection.
A sneak peek by Malte Mansholt* ~- 2 Min*
"What on earth does 'forwarded' even mean?": Folks who've never passed a WhatsApp message to seek opinions can throw the first stone—but honestly, who wouldn't want to ensure their messages reach only the intended recipient? Now, the messenger's got a solution to build that privacy protection.
Spotted by the beta test-focused portal "WABetaInfo," the next Android version of WhatsApp introduces the "Advanced Chat Privacy" feature, a privacy upgrade that promises just that: heightened security for your chats.
WhatsApp's "Gossip Lock": How it works
Here's the twist — the feature doesn't modify WhatsApp's behavior on your device, but on your chat partner's. Once you enable Advanced Chat Privacy, several functions on their device get disabled:
- Chat Export prohibition: Entire chat histories, even for group chats where the lock is active, can no longer be exported.
- Meta AI exclusion: The group chat's interaction with Meta AI gets blocked, presumably because it requires access to the chat history to function[1][3].
- Auto Media download restrictions: Sharing self-destructing messages had previously blocked auto-downloads, but with Advanced Chat Privacy, this restriction now applies to all chats[2][4].
Rest assured, no one is coerced to use this feature. As per "WABetaInfo," it can be activated for individual chats or all conversations and can be turned off whenever[2][5].
Room for Improvement
The new feature isn't flawless, though. While it prevents chat exports and Meta AI use, users can still forward individual messages or take screenshots, which could potentially bypass the restrictions[2][4]. WhatsApp hasn't yet developed a screenshot-blocking function, like Snapchat's, likely due to the technical challenges presented by the cross-platform WhatsApp Web[1].
Still, there's plenty of room for enhancements in chat security. For instance, complete message forwarding prohibition is a possibility. Limiting WhatsApp Web access for such chats could also assist in preventing screenshots, ensuring a higher level of security[1]. Only Meta can answer whether these enhancements are technically viable and whether they'd be worth pursuing.
When can you get the "Gossip Lock"?
Currently, it's all a work in progress—the test version could undergo alterations yet. Predicting when the protective measure will reach all users is tricky. Smaller features often follow testing phases quickly, but significant changes like Advanced Chat Privacy typically take time to refine after gathering user feedback[1].
- The upcoming Android version of WhatsApp, as revealed by WABetaInfo, disables the chat export function for specific chats via the new "Advanced Chat Privacy" feature, aiming to enhance user privacy.
- Evident in the new feature, WhatsApp silences Meta AI interaction and imposes restrictions on auto media downloads for chats with Advanced Chat Privacy enabled, aiming to provide a more secure messaging experience.
- Despite its restrictions on chat exports and Meta AI use, WhatsApp's "Gossip Lock" does not yet block screenshots or limit WhatsApp Web access, leaving room for potential bypassing of the restrictions and further improvements in chat security.
