WhatsApp’s new ‘lockdown’ settings add another layer of protection against cyberattacks | The Verge Skip to main contentThe homepage Tech The new ‘Strict Account Settings’ automatically block attachments and media from senders you don’t know, and also silences calls from unknown contacts. The new ‘Strict Account Settings’ automatically block attachments and media from senders you don’t know, and also silences calls from unknown contacts. WhatsApp is launching new “Strict Account Settings” that add even more protections against cyberattacks. The feature is built for people at a high-risk of attacks — such as journalists or public figures — and automatically blocks attachments and media from senders you don’t know, while silencing calls from unknown contacts. The new setting limits other functionality inside WhatsApp, including turning off link previews, limiting who can add you to a group, and blocking non-contacts from seeing your profile photo, “about” details, and online status. “You should only turn this on if you think you may be a target of a sophisticated cyber campaign,” WhatsApp says. “Most people are not targeted by such attacks.”
Published: January 27, 2026 6:01 pm
Source: The Verge — Read original