WhatsApp has launched Strict Account Settings, a lockdown-style privacy feature that strengthens security, blocks unknown contacts, and protects users from scams, spam and targeted cyber threats.

Meta is rolling out new security features for WhatsApp designed to protect high-risk users—journalists, activists, and government officials, for example—from cyber attacks. Strict Account Settings is a lockdown-style mode that builds on the platform's end-to-end encryption with stronger privacy features and restrictions against unknown contacts.

WhatsApp has introduced a new lockdown-style “Strict Account Settings” mode to give users stronger protection from unknown senders, malicious links, and targeted attacks.