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New WhatsApp Feature Prevents Screen Sharing Scams – For many parents, WhatsApp isn’t just a chat app — it’s their main bridge to family, friends, and even daily updates from the kids. Unfortunately, that same familiarity makes it an easy target for scammers. Recognizing this growing threat, WhatsApp has just rolled out a new safety feature designed to stop screen-sharing scams — a sneaky trick that’s been preying especially on older users. https://dontkilladream.com
New WhatsApp Feature Prevents Screen Sharing Scams :
Why This Feature Matters
The “screen-sharing scam” typically starts with a message or call from someone pretending to be a bank officer, customer service rep, or even a family member. They claim there’s a technical issue and ask the victim to share their screen so they can “help fix it.”
But here’s the danger — once you share your screen, the scammer can see everything on your phone, including OTP codes, passwords, or even your banking app.
Both the FBI and Indonesia’s National Cyber and Crypto Agency (BSSN) have warned about scams like these, known as “Phantom Hacker” operations. Victims often don’t realize what happened until their bank balance mysteriously drops to zero.
How WhatsApp’s New Feature Works
WhatsApp’s new safety update acts like a digital guardian angel. Whenever you try to share your screen during a video call — especially with an unknown contact or suspicious number — the app now automatically shows a warning message.
According to Meta, this feature uses privacy-preserving detection that doesn’t interfere with end-to-end encryption. In other words, WhatsApp can spot risky behavior patterns without actually reading your messages.
You’ll see an alert such as:
“Be careful! Don’t share your screen with people you don’t trust. They could see private information, including passwords and verification codes.”
It’s a simple message, but a powerful reminder at just the right moment — before any damage can be done.
How to Use and Enable the Feature
The best part? You don’t have to do anything special — the feature is automatically enabled in the latest WhatsApp update.
Here’s a quick checklist to make sure it’s working for you or your parents:
- Open WhatsApp → Settings → Privacy & Safety
- Update to the latest version on the Play Store or App Store
- When you start a video call and try to share your screen, watch for the warning pop-up
- If a warning appears, cancel the sharing immediately
It’s that simple — but it can prevent a lot of heartache.
Real-Life Example: A Close Call
Recently, a woman in Surabaya nearly lost her savings after receiving a call from someone claiming to be a bank support agent. The scammer told her that her mobile banking app was “locked” and asked her to share her screen so he could help.
Fortunately, she was using the updated WhatsApp version — and when she tried to share her screen, she saw the new warning notification. She canceled right away and later confirmed with the real bank that no such issue existed. The warning literally saved her money.
Extra Tips to Protect Your Parents from Online Scams
WhatsApp’s feature is a great start, but digital safety also depends on daily habits. Here are some simple but powerful tips you can share with your parents or older relatives:
Turn on Two-Step Verification (2FA)
Add an extra PIN to protect your WhatsApp account.
Never Share OTP or Verification Codes
No real company will ever ask for your code, especially through chat.
Limit Who Can See Your Profile Photo
Set it to “My Contacts” to avoid impersonation.
Always Double-Check Before Trusting Anyone
If someone claims to be from the bank, call your family or the official hotline first.
Keep Apps Updated
Security updates often include critical protections like this one.
What Meta and Experts Say
Meta says this update is part of its broader “Stay Safe on WhatsApp” campaign, aimed at educating users — especially seniors — about digital fraud awareness.
Cybersecurity expert Pratama Persadha from CISSReC praised the move, calling it “a proactive innovation that directly protects vulnerable users.”
“Sharing your screen is like handing over your house keys to a stranger,” he explained. “Once you do it, they can see everything inside.”
Bottom Line: Awareness Is the Best Protection
WhatsApp’s new anti-scam feature is a big step toward safer communication, especially for older users. But at the end of the day, technology can only do so much — awareness and education remain our strongest defenses.
So, if you often act as the “tech support” for your parents, make sure they:
- Have the latest WhatsApp update,
- Recognize the new warning prompts,
- And understand that no one legitimate will ever need to see their screen.
In a world where scams are getting smarter, this small update could be the difference between safety and disaster.
And with your help, your parents can stay connected — safely.
