Security when chatting is important for many users. However, it is not always about protecting your own data.
Another topic is the often suggestive content that is hidden in personal exchanges with friends and partners. The new WhatsApp update offers a useful function that brings advantages.
Romantic messages, tender words, hot pictures: sexting is an integral part of digital life for the young generation. Whether dating via flirt apps or exchanging erotic messages via chats: As CyberGhost reports, 44% of an anonymous survey have already sexted and exchanged special pictures. Many users accept that this type of communication is fraught with risks.
In times of Instagram, TikTok and the desire for self-expression, such concerns quickly fade into the background. Life takes place on social networks, intimate moments are shared and an open attitude to life loud the mirror that comes with the selfie craze is celebrated. What is curious, however, is that as long as communication takes place in digital space, the consequences seem to remain predictable. As soon as the connection to reality is created, a panicked feeling of possible loss of control arises. A paradoxical phenomenon, which WhatsApp is now putting a security barrier in front of.
Blocked chats available
There are conversations that no one should hear. Whether new rumors, a secret affair or the aforementioned sexting news: there are numerous reasons why some things should remain behind closed doors and on a small scale. WhatsApp now offers an option to increase the protection measures for personal content.
The function allows chats to be stored in locked folders. To gain access to these histories, users must enter a password or confirm approval with a fingerprint. Only then will the chat history be opened and visible. In addition, the conversations are no longer displayed in the preview. This simply indicates that a message has been received. However, the content remains hidden.
Delayed implementation
WhatsApp originally wanted to implement the function in May 2023 and make it available to its users earlier. However, due to longer programming, the release of the new feature was postponed.
Activating the lock takes just a few clicks:
- Opens the WhatsApp app.
- Selects the chat to be locked and only accessible through personal sharing.
- Tap the corresponding contact or group name.
- The Chat Block option will appear.
- Select this and carry out the fingerprint verification.
- All locked folders can be found in a separate folder.
The feature will be expanded in the coming weeks. The plan is to assign an individual password, which can be used as an alternative to the fingerprint.
The feature could be a welcome reason for users to continue using the messenger service despite criticism. In the past, WhatsApp has increasingly come into focus data protection officers and the consumer advice center. Due to unauthorized data exchange and possible reading by third parties, the company had to answer in court at the beginning of 2017.
