WhatsApp has introduced a new security feature that enables users to pause, inquire about, and verify potentially harmful messages.

WhatsApp has introduced a robust security enhancement featuring a “pause, question, and verify” protocol aimed at safeguarding users from advanced messaging scams. In the first half of 2025, the platform successfully disrupted over 6.8 million accounts associated with criminal scam centres, while also implementing automated detection algorithms and contextual safety overlays. These innovations assist users in identifying potentially malicious communications prior to engagement. The key takeaways from this initiative include the launch of the “pause, question, verify” system, the banning of 6.8 million scam-linked accounts, and the deployment of machine learning algorithms to detect scam patterns across various platforms.

The latest security update from WhatsApp introduces a dual-layer protection system that activates when users face suspicious messaging scenarios. An automated safety overview interface is now deployed when unknown contacts add users to unrecognised WhatsApp groups. This safety protocol incorporates metadata analysis, which reveals group creation timestamps, member verification status, and behavioural pattern indicators. These features enable users to assess potential risks before viewing chat content. Additionally, the individual messaging component leverages machine learning algorithms to analyse contact patterns and communication origins, generating contextual alerts for conversations initiated with numbers not stored in users’ contact lists. This proactive detection framework operates within WhatsApp’s existing end-to-end encryption infrastructure, ensuring user privacy is maintained.