WhatsApp is rolling out new protective measures aimed at securing journalists and public figures against potential cyberattacks.

The updated security feature is called "Enhanced Account Settings" and adds new levels of privacy that complement end-to-end encryption. Key features include:

• Account Security: two-step verification is enabled. Security notifications are activated and unauthorized actions are blocked. End-to-end encrypted backups are recommended for users who enable backups.
• Messaging and Media Sharing: attachments and media from unknown senders will be automatically blocked. Link previews are disabled.
• Calls: calls from unknown numbers are hidden. Your IP address is also concealed during calls.
• Profile and Status: your last seen time, profile picture, and status are hidden from other users except your contacts or a pre-set list of individuals.
• Groups: only contacts you know or pre-approved individuals can add you to groups.

These new security features in WhatsApp can be activated in the app on iOS, Android, and Mac, and each can be enabled separately. They are located under the "Privacy" section in the settings.