Abstract
- WhatsApp is expanding its security features by testing a user verification system via email, which should be available to more users soon.
- The email verification system is an optional feature that adds an extra layer of security to user accounts.
- In addition to the email verification system, WhatsApp is also working on other features, such as the ability to create alternate profiles for better separation between work and private life.
As one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, WhatsApp has a responsibility to protect the privacy of its users. While all messages on the platform are encrypted, the Met-owned chat app is working to develop additional security features over time. WhatsApp developers have been testing a user verification system via email since August this year. This particular security feature is now reaching more testers on the latest WhatsApp beta for Android, indicating its release to the stable channel soon.
This extended beta rollout follows WhatsApp’s recent launch of access keys for all users after being spotted in the beta channel for a few months. According to a WABetaInfo report, the underdeveloped email verification system is located under Settings > Account in the app and appears to have been enabled for some beta testers on the build 2.23.24.10although I haven’t had that luck on my device.
A screenshot shared by the site reveals a fairly simple setup, including a field for your email, with accompanying text making it clear that email addresses cannot be read by others and that this verification system helps users access their accounts. As expected, users need to confirm the email to set it up on their account, and if they don’t, they’ll be prompted to do so, along with a confirm button, which presumably re-sends the confirmation email to the selected account.
This email confirmation is only an additional option to protect your WhatsApp account and is not intended as a primary option. But in an ideal world, almost every user of the app should link their email address with WhatsApp to protect their phone from theft/loss.
It appears that this new verification system is currently available to a limited number of beta testers. However, it should be more widely available over the next few weeks, as WABetaInfo points out. Your phone number will always be the first way to verify your identity on WhatsApp, but if that fails, the email option should definitely come in handy.
Among the many additions we’ve spotted on WhatsApp’s beta recently, few are as exciting as the recently spotted YouTube-style tap-to-search video navigation for the chat app’s default media player, which is currently bare bones and in desperate need of an overhaul. Based on its usefulness to millions of WhatsApp users, we doubt its arrival would be high on the developer’s priority list.
Another beta addition we came across this week was the ability to create Alternative profile for a better separation of work and personal profiles. This comes weeks after WhatsApp rolled out multi-account support for all Android users after crawling through beta stages for months.