Being the leading messaging app in many countries, it’s normal that we see changes often. In fact, just yesterday WhatsApp updated its conditions with changes for Europe that must be accepted to continue using it. All this without prejudice to them continuing to think about the changes to come and the one to come is linked to two new switches for privacy settings in the app.
This is a new feature already confirmed, since it is in the beta version of the application for iOS. They discovered it on WABetaInfo a few days ago and even if it is not the greatest revolution in history, the truth is that it remains interesting for hide IP address. Something that should a priori be activated, even if we have already warned that there were some resignations.
The novelty of WhatsApp to avoid website tracking
As is usual in WhatsApp and in any application, they do not introduce new features without notice, but they are first seen in the beta versions and then end up being integrated into the stable versions downloaded from the App Store. The new switches are added in WhatsApp beta 24.7.10.76 for iOS, available through Testflight.
Image: WABetaInfo
The first of these switches will be used to protect user IP address during calls if enabled, hide it from the other person by transmitting the data through WhatsApp’s own servers. Of course, as appears under this new switch, this will also mean a drop in call quality, so this will have to be taken into account.
On the other hand, the option of disable link previews. These are useful for seeing the title of a news story and others without having to enter to see if we want to access it or not. In any case, generating these views may cause tracking from the owners of these websites, which is eliminated by activating this switch.
Both features are available in the iOS app’s advanced privacy settings, although they have also been seen in Android beta versions. This is a clear indication that they will surely eventually reach both systems in a stable version of WhatsApp.
Of course, we also remember that sometimes WhatsApp has spent several months with functions that come and go from the betas until they finally launch them, so it is not guaranteed that they will be imminent. In any case, pay attention to the privacy settings because it could be launched at any time. And if you already have the beta, you’ll have them available right now.
Cover image | Eyestetix Studio on Unsplash
In Applesfera | How to have WhatsApp on iPad
In Applesfera | What is WhatsApp “invisible mode”: so you can read your iPhone messages without others knowing
