Subj : WhatsApp beta improves account security by letting users hide the
To   : All
From : TechnologyDaily
Date : Wed Jul 12 2023 00:00:04

WhatsApp beta improves account security by letting users hide their phone 
number

Date:
Tue, 11 Jul 2023 22:40:19 +0000

Description:
WhatsApp seeks to help your maintain your anonymity in Communities from 
everyone except those who know you.

FULL STORY
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 WhatsApp is beefing up security for community users as it introduces a way 
for people to hide their phone numbers from others. 

Normally, the names of participants in a community chat are hidden from one 
another. Admins are the exception, of course, as theyre privy to the names of 
everyone. But, as WABetaInfo explains , if you were to react to a message in 
the community announcement group, your phone number suddenly becomes publicly 
viewable, losing your anonymity. With the aptly named Phone Number Privacy 
feature, that is no longer a problem as youll be able to hide your contact 
information from prying eyes. (Image credit: WABetaInfo) 

Images in the initial report reveal there will be a new Phone Number Privacy 
option in a communitys announcement group info menu. Tapping the entry causes 
a warning to pop up informing you that, even though youre about to hide your 
details, there will still be some who can see your number. Community admins 
will remain one of the exceptions in addition to people who have saved you as 
a contact [and] those who have your number from other chats. Also, if you 
need to contact someone whose number is hidden, you can send them a request 
to have them share their contact details with you. 

Do note only community members have access to this tool. If you created the 
community or are an admin, WhatsApp wont allow you to hide your phone number. 
Availability 

You can try out Phone Number Privacy yourself by installing the most recent 
WhatsApp for Android beta from the Google Play Store or the WhatsApp for iOS 
beta from the Apple App Store  assuming you already have access, as Apples 
TestFlight program for WhatsApp is no longer accepting new entrants. Unless 
youre one of the few who got in before the doors closed, iPhone users are out 
of luck. Android owners, however, will have an easier time as Googles beta 
program for the Play Store is still accepting new people . 

WABetaInfo states the beta is rolling out in waves so theres a chance Phone 
Number Privacy may not be available on your device immediately after 
installation. Be sure to keep an eye out for the beta once it arrives on your 
smartphone. Its unknown when the feature will officially launch. Considering 
its already out in beta, Phone Number Privacy should be coming out very soon. 

We should mention WABetaInfo claims the update will be extended to other 
groups on WhatsApp. Which ones exactly, again, is unknown. It would be nice 
to have the same feature appear in smaller WhatsApp groups for the extra bit 
of anonymity. 

Until we get official word, be sure to check out TechRadars list of the best 
privacy tools for 2023 and learn how you can enhance online security.



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Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/pro/software-services/whatsapp-beta-improves-account
-security-by-letting-users-hide-their-phone-number


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