There is a new setting in the beta version of WhatsApp to block messages from strangers; This sounds great as messages from scammers are becoming more and more frequent and we can’t do much about it. It looked good on paper but after trying it I can’t help but think this is an inadequate measure.

I’ve been blocking WhatsApp messages from strangers for almost a week now and the impression I get is There was an option in Meta to cut spam from the start and they chose a confusing middle ground that did little good.

What blocks messages from unknown WhatsApp accounts?

Let’s start from the beginning: What is blocking messages from unknown WhatsApp accounts? It is an innovation in WhatsApp tests that is classified as an advanced security option. As in tests, Only enabled for some usersespecially if they are using the beta version. I was lucky to be one of them.

For activated accounts, it appears in the privacy settings within advanced settings. This is a key called Block messages from unknown accounts. It is disabled by default.

WhatsApp proves the real problem with this option by explaining that this option serves to protect your account and improve the performance of the device. blocks unknown messages only if a condition is metYou are receiving many messages.

A guard with lots of “I want” and little “I can”

I enabled the option and all I had to do was wait. The good thing about spam blocking is that it works in the background without disturbing you; This is something that is not very applicable to blocking unknown WhatsApp messages. When activated, It does this with a large banner at the top of WhatsApp. It can be turned off, but it’s almost more annoying than the messages that can reach me from strangers.

And it activates frequently. early days Activated every time I receive a few messages chat from one person (i.e. not strangers). Although it can be distracting, this is not a problem because it notifies you every time it turns on and off.

Providing a warning every time it is activated is tiring in itself, but the biggest problem is that designed to continue allowing messages from strangersAs soon as the “lots of messages” series passes. This is by design and not surprising as WhatsApp’s recent moves have been to open up the app to be able to interact with people who are not in our contacts, such as communities, sending messages to people who are not on the agenda or in the future. usernames.

Not only that, but also will never avoid the first message from strangersIf someone hasn’t written to you much before. You will continue to receive a lot of lonely spam at 3:00 in the morning offering you a job with an international prefix, and the filter will let it pass as before.

WhatsApp could have chosen better to promote message requests like Messenger or Instagram

Instead of receiving several message requests like on Instagram or Messenger, WhatsApp protection is a filter that only works sometimesand when he does, he does it in a very intrusive way. A lost opportunity that cannot be defined by any other name than “I want and I cannot”; but this gives the impression that Meta does not directly “want” to allow users to intercept messages from unknown parties in the first place. There is still hope that it will improve before it reaches all users.

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