WhatsApp to introduce ‘Strict Account Settings’ to boost user security

The upcoming mode will offer users an optional, all-in-one security setting designed to safeguard against targeted cyberattacks, spam, and malware by automatically activating key privacy and protection features

WhatsApp is reportedly developing a new “Strict Account Settings” mode to help users defend against sophisticated cyberattacks and privacy threats. The enhanced security option, spotted by feature tracker WABetaInfo in the latest beta version of WhatsApp for Android (v2.25.33.4), will allow users to activate advanced protection features with a single toggle.

Although still in development, this new mode is expected to act as a lockdown-style safeguard for users who may be more vulnerable to hacking or surveillance attempts. The mode will automatically enable multiple privacy tools that currently require manual activation, streamlining security management within the app. While there’s no confirmed release date, the feature’s presence in beta testing suggests it could roll out in an upcoming update for Android users.

Layered protections against tracking, spam, and malware

When enabled, the Strict Account Settings mode is expected to provide a robust layer of defense. It will include IP address protection during calls by routing them through WhatsApp’s servers, preventing location tracking. The mode will also block automatic downloads of media and attachments from unknown contacts—an important step to reduce risks from phishing links and malware-laced files.

Additionally, WhatsApp plans to include an option to disable link previews, which can expose user IP addresses when the app connects to external sites. This feature, already available in privacy settings, will now be automatically activated under the strict mode.

Other expected safeguards include muting calls and limiting group invites from unsaved numbers, restricting profile visibility to known contacts, and enabling two-step verification for all logins. Users will also receive security alerts whenever a contact’s encryption code changes, allowing quick verification of message authenticity.

With this update, WhatsApp aims to provide high-risk users—such as journalists, activists, or corporate executives—with an integrated, high-assurance security environment. The new mode reinforces the platform’s ongoing commitment to privacy and data protection in the face of growing cyber threats.