WhatsApp has started rolling out an optional Scam Alert feature that uses an on-device machine learning model to warn users about likely scam messages without sending message content off the device. The feature is being tested in a limited beta and is part of WhatsApp’s broader effort to protect users from fraud, device-linking scams, and spyware threats. #WhatsApp #ScamAlert #Pegasus #NSOGroup
Keypoints
- WhatsApp is testing a new optional Scam Alert feature in a limited beta.
- The feature uses a local machine learning model to detect likely scam messages from non-contacts.
- No message content leaves the device for classification or auto-reporting.
- Users can block, report, continue, or mark a chat as trusted if the warning is incorrect.
- The rollout adds to WhatsApp’s earlier protections against fraudulent linking requests and spyware attacks.