With an increasing focus on privacy, the popular messaging app WhatsApp has launched a new feature that prohibits others from taking screenshots of your profile picture. The company already restricts users from taking screenshots of media that is shared in view-once mode, and now the feature is being rolled out for profile pictures.
This update, currently in beta testing for Android users, aims to give users more control over their online presence. When someone attempts to screenshot a profile picture within the app, they'll be greeted with a message showing that the action is restricted due to app limitations or shows a black picture instead of your profile image. This effectively prevents the unauthorised saving or sharing of profile photos. The feature was first noticed by Android Police and it states: “WhatsApp was spotted working on screenshot blocking for profile pictures in February 2024. While Meta has yet to announce the feature's rollout officially, it appears to be testing it widely with a server-side push.”
“One of my AP colleague's family members reports being unable to take a screenshot of the display picture of their WhatsApp contacts on the latest stable build of the app. WhatsApp shows an error saying it can't take a screenshot due to app restrictions,” it adds. The feature is currently available on Android Beta and might be available for iOS soon.
What are the Benefits of this New Feature?
WhatsApp has been steadily introducing features that prioritise user privacy. This latest update addresses a concern many users have had – the ease of capturing and potentially misusing profile pictures. By blocking screenshots, WhatsApp aims to:
- Reduce unauthorised sharing: This discourages the casual forwarding of profile pictures without the user's consent.
- Empower users: It gives users more control over who sees and shares their profile picture.
- Enhance security: It potentially discourages the use of profile pictures for impersonation or other malicious purposes.
What Does it Mean for Users?
While the screenshot block offers a layer of privacy, it's important to remember that it doesn't completely prevent someone from saving your profile picture. People can still screenshot a profile picture from a mini pop-up that appears after long tapping your contact name. Further, users can use another device to capture a photo of your profile picture from the screen.
To prevent your profile picture from being misused, it is better to hide it from the public. You can do this by navigating to:
- WhatsApp Settings
- Open Privacy
- Click the Profile Photo option and set it to ‘Nobody’ or ‘My Contacts’
However, this update sends a clear message that users have a say in how their profile picture is shared. It's a positive step towards a more secure and privacy-focused WhatsApp experience.
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