WhatsApp introduces new features and faces security warnings

WhatsApp is rolling out several significant updates ranging from security warnings to new functional features. The Italian State Police have issued warnings regarding a new wave of ‘zero-click’ attacks. In these compromises, criminals gain account access to impersonate known contacts and solicit money under the guise of emergencies. Authorities recommend keeping operating systems and the app updated, enabling two-step verification, and regularly checking linked devices.

On the feature front, Meta is introducing several interface and utility improvements. Users will soon see photo, video, and sticker previews directly in the chat list. For iPhone users, a gradual rollout is providing expanded chat themes and color palettes to allow for better visual distinction between different conversations.

Additionally, WhatsApp is developing support for third-party AI agents, allowing users to connect external assistants via API keys to dedicated chats. The app is also testing a new push notification feature that reminds users of unsent draft messages approximately one minute after they leave a conversation, ensuring incomplete messages are not forgotten.