WhatsApp introduces new security feature for WhatsApp Web linking
WhatsApp, on 28 January, announced that it is adding another security feature to link and log in to WhatsApp Web and desktop app.
By Newsmeter Network Published on 28 Jan 2021 11:31 AM GMT
Hyderabad: WhatsApp, on 28 January, announced that it is adding another security feature to link and log in to WhatsApp Web and desktop app.
Before users link their WhatsApp accounts to their computer, they will be asked to authenticate using fingerprint or face ID. This additional layer of security is aimed at preventing others from linking your WhatsApp account to the computer without your presence. WhatsApp said the face and fingerprint authentication takes place on the user's mobile phone in a privacy-preserving manner and WhatsApp cannot access the biometric information stored on the handset's operating system. At the moment, users just have to scan the QR code from the phone to link their WhatsApp account to the laptop or PC.
According to the messaging app company, this new security feature will limit the chance that a housemate or officemate (when we have those again) can link devices to your WhatsApp account without you. It added, "The face and fingerprint authentication takes place on your device in a privacy preserving manner – by design, WhatsApp cannot access the biometric information stored by your device's operating system."
WhatsApp said this new security layer will be rolled out in the coming weeks. A visual redesign to WhatsApp Web pages on phones will also be introduced in the weeks to come.
WhatsApp is also working on video and audio calling for the web platform and while the feature has been spotted in beta testing it is yet to roll out to all users.
