What to know

  • WhatsApp is rolling out a new safety overview screen before you join unknown group chats.
  • This feature aims to protect users from scams and unwanted group invitations.
  • The safety overview will highlight key privacy and security tips.
  • The update is part of WhatsApp’s ongoing efforts to enhance user safety.

If you’ve ever been added to a random WhatsApp group chat and felt uneasy, you’re not alone. WhatsApp is now taking a big step to make group chats safer for everyone. The messaging platform is introducing a new “safety overview” screen that will pop up before you join any group chat from an unknown contact or link.

This new feature is rolling out globally and is designed to give you a heads-up about potential risks. When you try to join a group chat from someone you don’t know, WhatsApp will show you a summary of important safety tips. The overview will remind you to be cautious about sharing personal information, warn you about common scams, and explain how to leave or report a group if something feels off.

WhatsApp says this move is a direct response to the rise in group chat scams and spam. Many users have reported being added to groups where scammers try to trick them into sharing sensitive information or clicking on suspicious links. By putting the safety overview front and center, WhatsApp hopes to reduce these incidents and empower users to make safer choices.

The safety overview screen will appear automatically when you attempt to join a group via an invite link or from someone who isn’t in your contacts. You’ll see clear, easy-to-read advice on how to protect yourself, including reminders to check the group’s participants and to use the app’s built-in reporting tools if necessary.

This update is part of a broader push by WhatsApp to strengthen privacy and security across its platform. In recent months, the company has added features like silencing unknown callers and improved privacy controls for group invites. The safety overview is the latest addition, aiming to make group chats a safer space for everyone.

For now, the feature is rolling out gradually, so you might not see it immediately. But once it’s live, you can expect a quick, informative screen every time you’re about to join a group chat from an unknown source. It’s a small change, but one that could make a big difference in keeping your conversations secure.