Strict WhatsApp settings: what they are and how they protect your account's privacy

WhatsApp has introduced "strict settings," a comprehensive suite of privacy and security enhancements designed to significantly fortify user accounts. This new feature bundles multiple protective options into a single activation, offering a more robust defense against unwanted interactions and data exposure. The aim is to provide users with greater control over their digital footprint within the platform, reflecting a growing demand for enhanced personal data protection. These strict settings encompass a range of functionalities that operate collectively. They include blocking multimedia and document attachments from unknown senders, restricting group invitations exclusively to contacts, and silencing calls from unrecognized numbers. Furthermore, the feature automatically blocks messages from unknown accounts exceeding a certain volume, disables link preview generation to mask IP addresses, and notifies users of security code changes for their contacts' end-to-end encrypted chats. Two-step verification is also mandated, requiring a six-digit PIN for account login, and personal information visibility is limited to contacts only. The implications of these strict settings are far-reaching for individual users and highlight broader trends in digital privacy awareness. By consolidating these features, WhatsApp empowers users to proactively safeguard their accounts against unsolicited contact and potential phishing attempts. This move aligns with increasing regulatory pressure, such as the GDPR and the forthcoming EU AI Act, which emphasize user consent and data protection, pushing digital platforms to implement stronger privacy controls and offering European users more control over their digital identities and interactions.