WhatsApp is testing a new AI-powered Scam Alert feature to help protect users from fraudulent messages. The feature can warn users about potentially suspicious conversations.
Meta is currently rolling out the feature to a limited group of users. It is being tested as a beta feature before a wider release.
The new system uses on-device machine learning to identify possible signs of scam activity. This approach allows the system to assess conversations for suspicious patterns.
When WhatsApp detects a potentially fraudulent conversation, it can display a warning inside the chat. The warning is shown only to the user receiving it.
Users will then have several options after receiving the alert. They can block the sender if they believe the conversation is suspicious.
They can also report the conversation to WhatsApp. Another option allows users to continue chatting despite the warning.
If the alert appears to be incorrect, users can mark the conversation as trusted. This gives users greater control over how they respond to the warning.
The Scam Alert feature is designed to provide an additional layer of protection. It aims to help users identify potentially dangerous conversations before continuing them.
Meta has said the system was developed with privacy in mind. The company also says users can turn off the feature whenever they choose.
The feature is part of broader efforts to improve security on WhatsApp. Scammers often use messages and account-related requests to target users.
WhatsApp has already introduced another AI-based security measure this year. That system focuses on suspicious device-linking requests.
Device linking can be abused by scammers to gain access to users’ accounts. The earlier security measure aims to identify potentially dangerous linking attempts.
The new Scam Alert feature expands these security efforts to suspicious conversations. It focuses on messages that could indicate fraudulent activity.
The system is not yet available to all WhatsApp users. Meta is currently testing it with a limited number of people.
The company is expected to assess the feature during the beta phase. A broader rollout could follow after the testing period.
Some analysts on X have suggested that the feature could eventually become available worldwide. However, the initial rollout remains limited.
The alert system gives users the ability to make the final decision. They can choose to block, report, trust, or continue the conversation.
This approach provides users with an additional warning without automatically stopping their chats. It also allows people to decide how they want to respond.
Privacy remains an important part of the new system. Meta says the machine learning process works on the device when assessing chats.
WhatsApp continues to introduce security tools as online scams become more sophisticated. The latest feature is another step toward helping users recognize suspicious activity.
For now, users should not expect the Scam Alert feature to appear on every account. Its availability depends on the ongoing beta rollout.
If testing is successful, Meta may expand the feature to more users. A worldwide release could take place at a later stage.
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The new tool adds another security layer to WhatsApp conversations. It is designed to give users an early warning before they continue a potentially fraudulent chat.
