WhatsApp Latest Update Adds 'Silence Unknown Callers' feature for Non-Contacts

A whatsApp recent update for iOS and Android has added a new feature that will protect users from spam calls and scam calls, mainly from non-contacts. By enabling the settings, such calls will be silenced, so you will not be able to get calls from numbers not saved on your device. However, this does not stop text messages thought. Here's what you should know.

It was just yesterday, Mark Zuckerberg announced the rollout of the feature, confirming that it is now available to all WhatsApp users. Previously identified during development, the feature has been implemented in the latest stable versions of WhatsApp for both Android and iOS.

Read Also: WhatsApp Testing Video Messages Feature on Latest iOS and Android Beta Versions

With the feature enabled, users will not be disrupted by calls from unknown contacts. However, the call will still be displayed in the notification area and within the app, ensuring users do not miss calls from unfamiliar individuals. The feature effectively minimizes disturbances caused by strangers by preventing the phone from ringing.

To activate the feature on Android, users can access the three-dot menu, navigate to Settings > Privacy > Calls, and toggle the "Silence unknown callers" option within the app. iPhone users can achieve the same by tapping on the gear icon in WhatsApp to access the settings menu, selecting Privacy > Calls, and toggling the "Silence Unknown Callers" option. WhatsApp already added this to their Frequently Asked Questions page.

This addition comes following reports from users in India and other regions who received spam calls from unknown numbers. Twitter was flooded with complaints about calls from unidentified numbers originating from countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Kenya, and Ethiopia. As a response, Minister of State for IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar declared that the IT Ministry would issue a notice to WhatsApp.

WhatsApp previously stated that it was enhancing its spam detection systems, which rely on artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), to decrease scam and spam calls by 50 percent. This new feature serves to alleviate the inconvenience faced by users due to unwanted calls on the messaging platform.