WASHINGTON, Jan 27, 2026, 14:00 (EST)
- WhatsApp is introducing a one-tap “Strict Account Settings” mode designed for users at risk of targeted hacking.
- This setting blocks unknown attachments and media, turns off link previews, and mutes calls from unknown contacts.
- This step echoes earlier “lockdown” modes from Apple and Google, prioritizing security over convenience.
On Tuesday, Meta’s WhatsApp announced the launch of “Strict Account Settings,” a new high-security feature aimed at protecting accounts from advanced hacking attacks. This mode blocks attachments and media from unknown contacts, turns off link previews, and mutes calls from anyone not in the user’s address book, the company explained. (Reuters)
The new feature arrives as major tech companies introduce “lockdown”-style safeguards targeting a select group of high-risk users—journalists, dissidents, and public figures. The approach is straightforward: remove features that attackers exploit, even if it means sacrificing convenience.
WhatsApp employs end-to-end encryption, so messages are scrambled and only readable by the sender and recipient. Still, targeted attackers tend to focus on loopholes in the chat features or target the devices and accounts directly, rather than trying to crack the encryption itself.
In the new mode, WhatsApp will block media and attachments from unknown senders and disable link previews—the thumbnail snapshots that show up when a URL is pasted into a chat. The company also pointed out that calls from unknown contacts are a frequent entry point for surveillance tools and sophisticated attacks.
The Verge revealed the new setting also clamps down on who can add users to groups and blocks non-contacts from seeing profile photos, “about” info, and online status. WhatsApp cautioned users to enable it only if they suspect they’re the target of a “sophisticated cyber campaign,” noting that most people aren’t. (The Verge)
WhatsApp explained in a blog post that this feature targets a small number of users requiring “extreme safeguards” against rare, sophisticated attacks. It’s being rolled out gradually over the next few weeks. The company also highlighted behind-the-scenes improvements, such as adopting the Rust programming language, as part of its broader initiative to minimize spyware risks. (WhatsApp.com)
WhatsApp becomes the third big U.S. tech player to roll out a tailored security feature for users facing high risks. Apple introduced “Lockdown Mode” back in 2022, and Google followed with “Advanced Protection Mode” for Android last year. Both features limit functions that attackers could exploit.
John Scott-Railton, a researcher at the University of Toronto’s Citizen Lab focused on protecting civil society targets, called WhatsApp’s announcement “a very welcome development.” He added, “My hope is that others follow suit.”
But the compromises are clear. Disabling previews and limiting media can leave WhatsApp feeling restrictive, and no single tweak can block every risk—especially scams that manipulate users into giving away access or exploits targeting vulnerabilities beyond the app’s control.
WhatsApp has long been a prime target for spyware attacks, prompting the company to respond with technical upgrades and legal action. This new mode aims to close the gaps exploited by the most intense campaigns, without altering how the majority of users communicate daily.
