WhatsApp to warn users before opening chats with unknown numbers

WhatsApp is adding a new security layer aimed at protecting users from scams and suspicious phone numbers. According to WABetaInfo, the app will soon show a special warning when someone tries to open a chat with a phone number that is not saved in contacts and has no prior conversation history.

The feature, called a "Trust warning," will interrupt the chat launch and display a warning screen before the user enters the conversation. That screen will show basic details intended to help judge whether the number is trustworthy, including the country where the phone number is registered, whether it is saved as a contact, and whether the two sides share any groups.

The goal is to alert users before they make contact with an unfamiliar number, especially in cases where scammers try to get victims to initiate the conversation themselves through misleading messages, links, or other details sent from elsewhere. From the warning screen, users can choose to continue or cancel opening the chat. The other person will not be notified if the user sees the warning or decides not to proceed.

WhatsApp says this is another step in its fight against digital fraud, alongside its existing security tools. The main advantage of the new feature is that it works very early, before the conversation with the unknown number actually begins. The warning feature is already rolling out officially and is available in the latest WhatsApp versions for Android and iOS, with broader availability expected in upcoming updates.