WhatsApp Introduces High-Security Account Mode for Users Facing Advanced Cyber Threats

WASHINGTON (GeokHub) — WhatsApp has rolled out a new high-security account option designed for users who face elevated risks from hacking, surveillance, or targeted cyberattacks, as major technology companies increasingly give users the choice to trade convenience for stronger protection.

The feature, called Strict Account Settings, is being introduced as a one-tap option within WhatsApp’s settings menu. Once activated, it automatically enables a bundle of defensive measures aimed at limiting common attack vectors.

What the New Security Mode Does

Under the stricter settings, WhatsApp blocks media files and attachments from unknown senders, disables link previews inside chats, and silences calls from contacts not saved on a user’s device. Security researchers have long warned that these features can be exploited by advanced attackers to deliver malicious content or conduct covert surveillance.

WhatsApp said the new option builds on its default end-to-end encryption by offering additional layers of defense for users who may be at higher risk, such as journalists, activists, or public figures.

Part of a Broader Industry Shift

WhatsApp’s move follows a growing trend among major technology platforms to introduce opt-in “extreme security” modes.

Apple previously introduced a highly restrictive protection mode across its mobile and desktop devices, limiting attachments, calls, and browsing features. Alphabet has also added an advanced protection setting on Android that restricts app downloads and other potentially risky behaviors.

Like those offerings, WhatsApp’s stricter mode reduces functionality in exchange for stronger safeguards, reflecting an industry acknowledgment that one-size-fits-all security is no longer sufficient.

Welcomed by Security Experts

Cybersecurity researchers and digital rights advocates welcomed the update, noting that it could provide meaningful protection for vulnerable users while setting a higher standard across the tech sector.

Experts say features like Strict Account Settings can significantly reduce exposure to sophisticated attacks and may encourage other platforms to introduce similar protections.

As digital threats become more complex, the ability for users to proactively harden their accounts is increasingly seen as essential rather than optional.