WhatsApp and Signal introduce new security and scam detection features

WhatsApp is testing a new optional security feature called ‘Scam Alert’ currently in closed beta. The feature uses a machine-learning model that runs locally on the user's smartphone to identify fraudulent message patterns from unknown senders. By analyzing conversation structures and linguistic signals, the model can trigger a warning within a chat without the content ever leaving the device. To maintain privacy, Meta only receives aggregated, anonymized data regarding how often warnings appear and the subsequent user actions.

In a separate development regarding messaging security, Signal has introduced an automatic key verification feature. This function automates the process of verifying the link between a phone number and its public cryptographic key, displaying a green checkmark when successful. This move mirrors a long-standing feature in WhatsApp, providing users with a more convenient way to ensure their communications are secure against server-side vulnerabilities without the need for manual QR code scanning.