WhatsApp is developing a new safety feature called Scam Alert that automatically detects potentially fraudulent messages from unknown contacts. The feature was identified in the latest WhatsApp beta for Android (version 2.26.22.2) and displays a warning banner in chats, allowing users to block and report suspicious senders or continue if they trust the message, according to medianama.com.
Scam Alert operates entirely on the user's device, processing messages locally without uploading content to Meta's servers. This design preserves WhatsApp's end-to-end encryption, ensuring no third party, including Meta, can access scanned content. The detection algorithm runs silently and WhatsApp developed the speech and text-analysis models in-house, similar to its voice message transcription feature, per medianama.com.
The introduction of Scam Alert addresses the rising global problem of online scams targeting messaging apps, with WhatsApp's over 3 billion users making it a prime target. By detecting suspicious messages before user interaction, the feature aims to reduce fraud and enhance user safety. This approach contrasts with third-party AI providers, emphasizing privacy and proprietary technology.
The Scam Alert feature appeared in WhatsApp beta version 2.26.22.2 on the Google Play Store, marking a concrete step towards wider rollout. WhatsApp's blog and WABetaInfo provided details on the feature's privacy-preserving design and operational mechanics, highlighting its integration within the app's existing security framework.