Anyone who, like me, has used WhatsApp long enough probably has developed a reflex.
It typically kicks in whenever an unknown number pings you with “Hi.”
Users might have a little curiosity, offset mainly by dread. Either way, WhatsApp aims to improve the experience.
The ubiquitous app is quietly testing a new “Strict account settings” mode, which essentially acts like a personal safety lock, muting calls and messages from unknown accounts before they ever reach you.
For some users, it represents long-overdue peace and quiet, but for others, particularly brands, creators, or anyone looking to build their audience, it seems like more of a locked door.
WhatsApp’s quiet change has loud implications
If you’re the sort of person who tends to ignore virtually every “new feature” pop-up, this one may deserve your attention.
WhatsApp’s “Strict account settings” is far from a flashy redesign or new emoji pack. Instead, it’s a security layer tucked deep in the beta builds for Android and iOS.
Once officially live, the app will behave a lot differently, with fewer mystery calls, random files, and questionable links.
WhatsApp offers a safety lock users didn’t know they needed
WhatsApp’s new “Strict account settings” may seem like technical mambo-jumbo, but it’s simply a single toggle that effectively changes how the entire app behaves.
Nestled underAccount → Privacy in recent Android (2.25.33.x) and iOS TestFlight builds, it’s more of a panic button for your inbox.
Once the feature is switched on, WhatsApp automatically mutes calls from unknown numbers, hides those pesky link previews, and blocks file transfers from strangers.
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Behind the scenes lie additional layers, such as IP masking and enforced two-step verification.
For day-to-day use, that’s perhaps the difference between your phone buzzing from scam calls and barely making a sound all day. That means no random alerts, no spammy PDFs, and no anxiety-inducing “Hello?” from strangers at midnight.
WhatsApp “strict account settings” functions:
- Auto-mutes calls and messages from unknown numbers.
- Disables link previews and media from strangers.
- Masks IPs to hide user metadata in calls and chats.
- Locks on two-step verification, while enforcing tighter message controls by default.
The timing behind WhatsApp’s safety upgrade
The timing of WhatsApp’s move is far from random.
Scam and spam campaigns have evolved significantly over the years, shifting from email to your phone, where a text or app notification feels personal.
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That’s perhaps why the losses continue to climb, even with complaint volumes dipping. Criminals don’t need a ton of shots, especially when a handful of well-targeted messages continue to convert.
Regulators and carriers have responded, but platforms also continue to harden their own defaults.
Think of WhatsApp’s “Strict” mode as more of an industry pivot, backed by fewer cold pings and more consent.
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Apple has added stronger screening, and Google Messages has also looked to tighten its filters.
The through-line is the simplest, but it can be uncomfortable for growth teams, as safety defaults end up curbing reach. For users, that basically means lower anxiety and less chance of tapping the wrong link at the wrong time.
Statistics on cybercrimes, cyber scams:
- Text-first scams are getting pricier: In 2024, U.S. consumers reportedly lost a whopping $470 million to scams that started off with mere text messages (5× 2020), despite fewer reports overall.
- Overall cybercrime losses set a record: The FBI logged a head-turning 859,532 complaints along with $16.6 billion in reported losses in 2024, as phishing/spoofing topped complaint categories.
- Suspicious messages are everywhere: UK users reported a dizzying 100 million suspicious texts to carriers through their 7726 service last year. Half of mobile users received a suspicious message in the recent multi-month window.
- Rivals are tightening by default: Apple lets you effectively filter unknown senders while silencing unknown callers; Google Messages layered in controls to hide international unknown texts; and the Signal app uses message requests before chats begin.
