WhatsApp introduces scam warning feature in beta testing

California (Web Desk): WhatsApp has begun testing a new security feature aimed at protecting users from online fraud and suspicious messages by providing early warnings about potential scams.

According to a report by WABetaInfo, the feature—called “Scam Alert”—is currently available in the beta version of WhatsApp. It is designed to identify messages received from unknown numbers or potentially unsafe sources, helping users make more cautious decisions before responding.

Under the new system, WhatsApp will not automatically block or delete suspicious messages.

Instead, it will display warning information directly within the chat, allowing users to decide whether to block, report, or continue the conversation.

The report states that the main goal of the feature is to alert users at an early stage about possible fraud attempts.

WhatsApp said that the analysis of suspicious activity will take place on the user’s device, and no message content will be sent to company servers, ensuring end-to-end encryption remains intact.

It is also noted that WhatsApp has previously used similar on-device technology for features like voice message transcription.

The company is also working on local activity logs, where scam-related alerts may be stored.

Currently, the feature is optional and turned off by default, meaning users will need to enable it manually. As it is still in the testing phase, no official release date for wider availability has been announced.