Meta-owned WhatsApp is developing a new privacy feature that benefits desktop users, based on recent reports.
This security measure, which is referred to as the Screen Lock, will prompt users to provide a password whenever they launch the software.
Mint's recent report explained that when the user is not utilizing the app's device, it will safeguard the user's account from illegal access and give an extra layer of protection to WhatsApp.
Screen Lock
According to WaBetaInfo, an online portal that monitors new and forthcoming updates of WhatsApp, the latest function is presently being worked on. In the near future, it will likely be made available to those participating as beta testers.
The screen lock feature of WhatsApp will reportedly become optional. They will have greater control over their chat conversations as they will be able to choose when the app should demand a password.
WhatsApp will never reveal a user's password for their account. Instead, it is going to be stored in the local system.
The report said the app might also incorporate a feature that allows users to secure the app by using Touch ID on a Mac when a fingerprint reader is enabled.
Forgot Password
In the event users forget the password, they will need to log out of the app and then log back into WhatsApp Desktop again by pairing their smartphone with the QR code.
Given that this functionality is still in the works, some of the UI components in the app may not yet be complete.
More Features
Previously, reports already revealed new WhatsApp features that are in beta testing. These include the auto-mute option in large groups, the ability to chat themselves, and to change sent messages.
As per earlier announcements, the messaging app can now support up to 1224 members in a single group. The beta version of WhatsApp now has an automatic mute feature for groups with more than 256 members to prevent an annoying flood of message notifications.
Recent news also reported that users might finally send messages to themselves without leaving the chat app or using another account.
When testing the beta version of WhatsApp on iOS and Android, the feature was discovered when users pressed the new message button and were given the option to "message yourself" in the contact list.
Prior to that, the contact list would only show the user's friends and family who also had a WhatsApp account.
In addition to all these, WhatsApp version 22.23.0.73 for iOS will soon allow users to edit sent messages.
Simply pressing and holding a certain message will trigger the desired action. Once the message has been changed and delivered, the receiver will see the label Edited in their WhatsApp inbox.
This article is owned by Tech Times
Written by Trisha Kae Andrada
