WhatsApp to soon roll out 'protect IP address in calls' option on Android, iOS

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WhatsApp to soon roll out ‘protect IP address in calls’ option on Android, iOS

The platform for instant messaging has included a new option called ‘Protect IP address in calls,’ which, as the name implies, stops malevolent threat actors from discovering your location and eavesdropping on conversations.

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October 16, 2023 11:05 IST
WhatsApp to soon roll out ‘protect IP address in calls’ option on Android, iOS
WhatsApp to soon roll out ‘protect IP address in calls’ option on Android, iOS

New Delhi: WhatsApp is developing a new privacy-enhancing feature that will further protect users by encrypting all calls made via the service. It is releasing this new feature for Android and iOS to hide callers’ IP addresses, making it more difficult for hackers to determine users’ whereabouts.

The platform for instant messaging has included a new option called ‘Protect IP address in calls,’ which, as the name implies, stops malevolent threat actors from discovering your location and eavesdropping on conversations.

Users can locate it by going to the ‘Privacy’ settings and navigating to the newly added Advanced section there. This section features this new option, which makes it more difficult for anybody in the conversation to infer the location of WhatsApp users by securely passing the information over the WhatsApp servers.

Even if you activate the function, WhatsApp promises that all your calls will be secure thanks to end-to-end encryption. This means that no one, not even WhatsApp, will be able to listen in on your chat.

The new feature, which was uncovered for the first time by WABetaInfo, can now be found on the most recent version of WhatsApp beta for Android and iOS. It routes your calls via the WhatsApp servers and functions as intended.

However, according to the report, the privacy call relay function can have a little negative effect on call quality because of the encryption and routing procedures that take place on a user’s connection when they are having a chat via WhatsApp servers.

In addition, the report stated that the new feature will be extremely helpful against any potential attempts to track a user’s location and IP address, particularly when the user is on a call on WhatsApp with unknown contacts. This feature makes it difficult for anyone to gather private information. This is especially true when the user is on a call with unknown contacts on WhatsApp.

At this time, the option may only be visible to a limited number of users who have access to the beta version of the app; however, the developer has plans to make it accessible to all users soon. However, WhatsApp has not yet provided any confirmation on a specific date for when the setting would be enabled on the stable version of the app.

In the meanwhile, WhatsApp is in the process of providing a select group of beta testers with its newly redesigned user experience for the Android programme. The design has been modified to include new icons, which will provide users with a more up-to-date experience while also increasing the app’s overall aesthetic appeal.

The WhatsApp team has been hard at work on several new features in recent months, including a ‘Secret Code’ for locking conversations and a slider that disables quick video messaging shortcuts in the chat. Users can now follow their favourite influencers, and personalities on the messaging app thanks to the addition of a Channels feature reminiscent of Telegram.

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