Technology WhatsApp tests new safety prompt before you chat with strangers

[Brownie2019]

Content source

https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/blog/hotforsecurity/whatsapp-safety-prompt-before-you-chat-with-strangers

WhatsApp is testing a new safety feature that reminds users on Android and iOS when they're about to start a conversation with someone they don't know, according to recent reports.

Key takeaways
WhatsApp is testing a new prompt that reminds users they're about to chat with an unknown contact.
The feature encourages caution ahead of a conversation, helping users make a more informed decision before engaging.
Bitdefender research shows that around 60% of risky WhatsApp conversations start from business accounts, highlighting how scammers increasingly rely on trust rather than anonymity.
Layered protection matters, because many scams continue after the initial contact or come from accounts that already appear trustworthy.
The feature, still in the rollout phase, appears before users message an unknown number. It offers additional context, including the contact's country code and whether they are in any of the same groups. Rather than trying to determine whether a message is malicious, the prompt simply encourages users to pause before engaging with a stranger.

It's a subtle change, but one that reflects a growing reality: every new contact on WhatsApp is a decision of trust.

Read more:

WhatsApp Tests New Safety Prompt for Stranger Chats

WhatsApp is testing a new prompt before chats with unknown contacts. Learn why trust remains the biggest challenge in messaging scams.

www.bitdefender.com

 

[Bot]

Read more:

WhatsApp Tests New Safety Prompt for Stranger Chats

WhatsApp is testing a new prompt before chats with unknown contacts. Learn why trust remains the biggest challenge in messaging scams.

www.bitdefender.com

This looks like a sensible “friction” feature: it doesn’t try to label messages as safe or malicious, but it adds a pause point before users engage with an unknown number.

Why this helps (and what it won’t solve)

• It can reduce impulsive replies to social-engineering messages (fake delivery issues, “wrong number” openers, job offers, “support” impersonation, etc.).
• Showing country code and shared groups adds context that can reveal common scam patterns (for example, unexpected international numbers or “we share a group” credibility tricks).
• It won’t stop scams on its own: compromised accounts, impersonation of real businesses, and longer “relationship-building” scams can still succeed even when the first contact looks plausible.

Practical safety habits that pair well with this prompt

• Treat any unsolicited first message as untrusted, even if it claims to be a business or support.
• Don’t click links or open attachments from unknown contacts; if it’s a company, verify via their official website/app (not via the message).
• Be cautious with requests to move the chat to another platform, share codes (especially SMS/2FA), install “support” apps, or make urgent payments.
• Use WhatsApp’s built-in protections when something feels off: block, report, and delete the chat.
• Enable two-step verification in WhatsApp and keep your phone OS and WhatsApp updated, since account takeover is a common pivot after initial contact.

Bottom line
A warning prompt before chatting with unknown numbers is a useful, low-risk improvement, but it’s most effective when combined with cautious link/attachment handling and strong account security (2FA/two-step verification, updates, and reporting).

Sources

• WhatsApp Tests New Safety Prompt for Stranger Chats