Meta has launched new tools to enhance user safety on WhatsApp and Messenger by addressing potential scams. These updates focus on protecting sensitive information and alerting users to suspicious activities.
New Security Features for WhatsApp
On WhatsApp, Meta is implementing warnings when users attempt to share their screen with unfamiliar contacts during video calls. This measure is designed to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive details such as bank information or verification codes.
Scam Detection on Messenger
Messenger users can now enable 'Scam detection' within the Privacy & Safety settings. This feature notifies users of potentially suspicious messages from unknown contacts. To maintain encryption, detection occurs on the user's device. If a chat shows scam signs, users can opt to send recent messages for AI review, which disables end-to-end encryption for those messages. Upon detecting scams, users receive information on common scam tactics and options to block or report the sender.
Global Anti-Scam Efforts
Meta has taken measures against over 21,000 Facebook Pages and accounts impersonating customer support, while disrupting nearly 8 million accounts on Facebook and Instagram linked to scam operations in regions like Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, the UAE, and the Philippines. These scams, often known as 'pig butchering', use social manipulation and fake crypto investments to exploit victims financially.
