WhatsApp has introduced a new high-security setting designed for users who face elevated risks of hacking, surveillance, or targeted digital attacks, placing the messaging platform among a growing group of major tech companies offering tougher protection at the cost of convenience.
The feature, called “Strict Account Settings,” is being rolled out this week and mentions a single switch inside WhatsApp’s settings menu. Once activated, the mode turns on a bundle of safeguards aimed at reducing common attack vectors used by sophisticated hackers.
According to WhatsApp, the option blocks media files and attachments from unknown senders, disables link previews, and silences incoming calls from contacts not saved in the user’s address book. Security researchers have long warned that each of these functions can be exploited to deliver spyware, track targets, or gain unauthorized access to devices.
In a statement accompanying the launch, WhatsApp said that while all conversations on the platform already benefit from end-to-end encryption, a small subset of users requires additional layers of defense. The company pointed specifically to journalists, activists, and public-facing figures who may be targeted by advanced and well-resourced attackers.
The move places Meta Platforms’s messaging service alongside other large U.S. tech firms that have rolled out similar tools in recent years. In 2022, Apple introduced Lockdown Mode, an optional setting for iPhone and macOS users that sharply limits message attachments, link previews, and certain calling and browsing features. Apple has described the tool as an extreme measure intended for a very small group of individuals facing serious digital threats.
More recently, Alphabet added Advanced Protection Mode to its Android operating system. That setting also restricts functionality, including limiting app downloads to Google’s Play Store, in order to reduce exposure to malicious software.
Security trade-offs and growing pressure on platforms
The common thread among these features is a clear trade-off. Users who enable the strongest protections lose some of the convenience and flexibility that define modern messaging and mobile platforms. Yet security experts say the shift reflects a broader recognition that default settings are not sufficient for everyone.
John Scott-Railton, a senior researcher at The Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto, welcomed WhatsApp’s decision. He said the new mode could play a meaningful role in protecting dissidents, activists, and others who are frequently targeted with surveillance tools. He also suggested that the move could increase pressure on other platforms to raise their security standards.
WhatsApp’s announcement comes amid growing scrutiny of how commercial spyware and advanced hacking tools are used around the world. Investigations in recent years have shown that journalists, lawyers, opposition politicians, and human rights defenders have often been targeted through seemingly mundane features such as message previews or unsolicited calls.
By offering an opt-in high-security mode, WhatsApp is signaling that user protection is no longer one-size-fits-all. For most people, the default experience may remain unchanged. For those facing serious threats, however, the platform is now offering a more locked-down alternative, even if it means sacrificing some everyday features in exchange for stronger digital safety.
