WhatsApp Introducing Web Lock to Enhance Security

WhatsApp Update: To bring more privacy to its platform, Meta-owned instant messaging app WhatsApp is now rolling out a new screen lock feature for WhatsApp Web/Desktop. The feature is possible to protect the application from unauthorized use with a password.

“When we announced this feature, it was under development, so it wasn’t ready for beta testers. However, after a long testing period, the instant messaging app will release this feature to some beta testers who are using the latest version of WhatsApp Web and have joined the official beta program,” WABetaInfo reported.

As shown in the screenshot, WhatsApp Web is locked using the screen lock feature. It will ask for a password to access your chat list.

– You can find out if this feature is enabled on your account by opening Settings > Privacy.

– If the feature is available on your account, you should see the screen lock starting point here.

– When enabled, you will need to enter a password to unlock the web app.

In this screen it is also possible to configure this feature by selecting when the user is prompted for a password. If you forget the password, you need to log out of WhatsApp Web and log in again by scanning the QR code.

Enabling the screen lock feature online offers the benefit of privacy. When this feature is enabled, even if someone accesses your computer while you’re away, they won’t be able to view your chats and messages without entering a password.

Also, push notifications won’t appear when the screen is locked. This helps users keep their conversations private and prevent unauthorized people from seeing their personal information. The screen lock feature is available to some users using the latest version of WhatsApp Web beta, and will roll out to more people in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, the Meta-owned app has also released a bugfix beta update that fixes the widget issue on Android devices. Be sure to install the latest beta for Android 2.23.17.13 update from the Google Play Store. This update contains a fix for the issue.