Privacy matters: WhatsApp to prevent users from taking screenshot of DPs
Updated: Feb 21st, 2024
The instant messaging app, WhatsApp, in an attempt to enhance user privacy, may soon introduce a feature that will disable downloading or taking a screenshot of display pictures without the user’s consent.
WABetaInfo, a publication that tracks information related to WhatsApp, spotted this new feature on the latest WhatsApp’s beta application for Android.
According to the publication, with the new feature, when a user tries to take a screenshot of another user’s profile picture, a popup message would read, “Can’t take a screenshot due to app restrictions” below the image.
Though the feature is only supported on WhatsApp beta, there are strong possibilities of it making it through to the main application.
Many other applications, namely Snapchat, Paytm, and Google Pay among others, also prevent users from taking screenshots to enhance piracy. Video streaming OTT applications also prevent users from taking a screenshot of a playback to curb piracy.
Recently, The Misinformation Combat Alliance (MCA) said that it has collaborated with Meta (formerly Facebook) to launch a dedicated fact-checking helpline on WhatsApp in India in an effort to combat media generated using artificial intelligence (AI).
The helpline will be available for the public to use in March this year.
