WhatsApp, the popular cross-platform instant messaging service, is reportedly working on a feature to better fight spam messages received from users. Meta’s messaging service was recently spotted testing the ability to block contacts from the chat list. Now the app is reportedly working on a new feature in the form of a block shortcut that will allow users on Android to block unknown senders right from the notification bar. Currently, WhatsApp notifications on Android come with two options: reply and mark as read.
According to a recent report from feature tracker WABetaInfo, Whatsapp is working on a new feature that will allow users to block people who are not in their contact list, right from the notification bar. This means users will soon be able to block unknown and untrustworthy contacts without opening the chat. As of now, WhatsApp message notifications have two options: reply and mark as read.
WABetaInfo also shared a screenshot of the upcoming feature, showing a WhatsApp message notification with a third option: Block. This feature will reportedly only be available for messages received from unknown senders.
When the feature rolls out, users won’t need to open a conversation on WhatsApp to block someone. The feature is still under development and will likely be released in a future update, making blocking unknown and unwanted contacts, especially spam and fraudulent accounts, quick and easy.
Meanwhile, the instant messaging app has also been spotted work about a new Android status update reporting feature that would allow users to report unwanted status updates that violate the company’s Terms of Use. Reported status updates are forwarded to the company for moderation. There will be a new “Report” option for status updates in the status area.
The reported status update is end-to-end encrypted (E2EE), similar to messages, voice calls, media and location sharing. According to Feature Tracker, content protected by E2EE cannot be accessed by third parties or even by WhatsApp or Meta.
