WhatsApp gets Flash Calls, Message Level Reporting features

Flash Calls feature has been rolled out only on WhatsApp's Android app only.

g. WhatsApp says users can now report accounts to WhatsApp by flagging a specific message. (Bloomberg)

WhatsApp has been rolling out tons of new features on its platform. Recently, the company rolled out end-to-end chat backups for users of its Android-based app. For those who haven't been keeping up with WhatsApp's endless updates, the feature secures chat backups on Google Drive with the same end-to-end encryption technique that the company uses in its chats. Today, the Meta-owned messaging app rolled out two new features on its platform. These features are Flash Calls and Message Level reporting.

Flash Calls

First, let's talk about Flash Calls. WhatsApp said that new Android users who are opting for WhatsApp or users who are re-installing WhatsApp on an Android phone now have the option to verify their phone numbers via an automated call, instead of relying on an SMS message with the verification codes. The newly rolled out Flash Calls feature allows WhatsApp to call users' devices and verify their phone numbers automatically. WhatsApp says that is a much safer option given that it takes place all from within the app. It will also reduce the scams wherein tricksters ask users for verification codes to gain access to their WhatsApp accounts.

Message Level Reporting

The second feature that the company has rolled out is called Message Level Reporting. WhatsApp says users can now report accounts to WhatsApp by flagging a specific message. To do so, users will have to long-press a particular message to either report or block a user.

Notably, these two features aren't the only ones that the company is offering to make its platform secure. Here are the top features that you can check out:

Privacy Profile: WhatsApp users can control their personal details like - Profile Photo, Last Seen, About, Status and who it's seen by. They can pick from Everyone, Contacts Only, or No one options.

How: Tap on Settings > Account > Privacy > Restrict your Last Seen, Profile Photo, About and Status.

Two-Step Verification: Users can also add an extra layer of security to their WhatsApp account by enabling the Two-Step Verification feature. This feature requires a six-digit PIN when resetting and verifying a WhatsApp account.

How: Just open WhatsApp > Settings > Account > Two-step verification > Enable.

Touch ID or Face ID: WhatsApp also enables users to enhance the security of their accounts with Touch ID and Face ID for iPhone, and Fingerprint lock for Android.

How: Open WhatsApp Settings > tap Account > Privacy > Screen Lock > turn on Require Touch ID or Require Face ID > select the length of time WhatsApp can be on standby mode before Touch ID or Face ID is required.

Group Settings: Group Privacy setting enables users to control who can add them to a WhatsApp group. This enables users to pick and choose which group chats that they would like to be a part of.

How: Go to Settings in your app > tap Account > Privacy > Groups and select one of three options: “Everyone,” “My Contacts,” or “My Contacts Except”. “My Contacts”.