Whatsapp

WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, with over 3 billion users. But its ubiquity also makes it a target for attackers. In December, security researchers documented a new form of account hijacking called GhostPairing, which sees users tricked into linking an attacker’s browser to their WhatsApp device. Meanwhile, in November, Austrian researchers plugged billions of numbers into WhatsApp’s contact discovery tool to create “the most extensive exposure of phone numbers” ever—along with profile photos and more. WhatsApp is protected by end-to-end encryption, the gold standard of security that, when implemented properly, means only you and the person you’re chatting with can read your messages. Behind the scenes, WhatsApp has also launched passkey-encrypted backups and privacy-enhanced AI technology. But there are a bunch of features you can use to boost your own privacy and security in the Meta-owned app. Here are eight of the best. Privacy Checkup A good place to start is WhatsApp’s Privacy Checkup feature in Settings under Privacy, which allows you to control who sees data such as your profile photo, About information, and status. You can also add extra privacy to your profile by adjusting the last Seen/Online setting to Nobody.

On January 1, 2026, the Ministry of Law And Justice rolled out the Nyaya Setu legal service on WhatsApp. This service, from the Ministry of Law and Justice, allows anyone to access free expert legal assistance in various fields, including civil law, criminal defense, corporate law, family disputes, and more. The Ministry of Law and Justice said on X: “Legal help is now just a message away! Nyaya Setu brings 'Ease of Justice' directly to your WhatsApp. Simply verify your mobile number to access a unified interface for legal advice and information. This smart navigation ensures that professional legal assistance is always swift and accessible for every citizen.” How Nyaya Setu on WhatsApp works Priya Dhankhar, Counsel, SKV Law Offices, says that Nyaya Setu is a WhatsApp-based legal chatbot launched by the Ministry of Law and Justice on January 1, 2026. To use it, you message the number 7217711814 on WhatsApp (appears as ‘Tele-Law’). After verifying your mobile number, you get access to a chatbot which uses AI and provides unified legal advice and information, completely free of cost. According to Dhankhar, the platform uses AI to understand your legal questions and deliver simplified responses across various areas of law.

KNEC warns candidates, parents against WhatsApp scam offering to alter KCSE grades Amid rising anticipation for the 2025 KCSE results, candidates and parents are being targeted by scammers claiming they can manipulate scores for a fee. The fraudulent messages, circulating mainly on WhatsApp, promise improved grades in exchange for sensitive personal details and money, preying on anxious students and families. The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has issued a stern warning to candidates, parents and the public against falling for the scheme, stressing that no individual or group can alter national examination results. On Friday, KNEC flagged the viral WhatsApp message that falsely claims KCSE candidates can boost their grades in selected subjects by submitting personal details and contacting alleged agents. KNEC said the message exploits the anxiety surrounding the release of the 2025 KCSE results and wrongly insinuates the involvement of the Ministry of Education and KNEC officials. The scam instructs candidates to provide sensitive information, including their school name, official KNEC name, index number and subjects to be “fixed,” before urging them to initiate private contact on WhatsApp for the illicit service. A screenshot of the misleading WhatsApp message claiming to boost KCSE grades, shared by KNEC warning

Summarize Next Article The feature is currently in the testing stage What's the story WhatsApp has released a new update for its Android app, version 2.26.1.18, through the Google Play Beta Program. The update is bringing a major new feature that allows users to filter and create custom text stickers. The feature is currently being rolled out to select beta testers and will be available to more users in the coming weeks. New sticker search experience The latest update also brings a new sticker search experience, with quick filters right inside the sticker section. These filters appear as simple labels like "Hi," "Haha," "Love," "Sad," "Wow," "Yay," and "Yes." Selecting a filter automatically adds the corresponding keyword to the sticker search bar, thus making it easier for users to start their search with just one tap. Enhanced functionality When a user selects one of these filters, WhatsApp automatically adds the corresponding keyword to the sticker search bar. This action triggers an immediate search for stickers associated with that word through predefined emoji mappings. Stickers created with matching emoji associations are more likely to appear in the results, making it easier for users to find what they're looking for. Broader search

Products Events & Resources Events Register for an upcoming webinar and track which industry events our analysts attend. Learn More → About Article by Marisa Jones   |   Jan 2, 2026 The news: Meta is set for a notable boost in ad revenues by 2027 from WhatsApp and Threads, per Barclays and reported by Yahoo Finance . Barclays estimates incremental ad revenues up to $6 billion and $19 billion from the two platforms in 2026 and 2027, respectively, boosting Meta’s top line as much as $25 billion. But while the figure isn’t insignificant, the two platforms will still account for a small portion of Meta’s overall ad revenues .

WhatsApp is making holidays more vibrant by introducing a suite of New Year-themed features, including animated sticker packs, video call effects, ...

Getty The New Year's Eve TV schedule is loaded with college football bowl games. There are plenty of college football games on TV today for New Year’s Eve, but NFL fans will have to rely on the collegiate bowl schedule. College football offers a hefty five-game schedule on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, ahead of New Year’s Day. As for the NFL, the league is off until this weekend with a marquee double-header on Saturday, January 3, kicking off the Week 18 schedule. There are no NFL games on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day. The next set of NFL games are on January 3, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the Carolina Panthers on 4:30 p.m. Eastern, while the Seattle Seahawks take on the San Francisco 49ers at 8 p.m. Both of these contests are on ABC and ESPN and have major NFL playoff implications. College football takes center stage as fans begin 2026. There are four College Football Playoff matchups on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. The first CFP matchup features the Ohio State Buckeyes taking on the Miami Hurricanes tonight at 7:30 p.m. Eastern on ESPN in the Cotton Bowl. Here’s what you need to

Updated: 31/12/2025 - 13:12 GMT+1 If you are looking for the perfect message for your loved ones, friends or colleagues to welcome in 2026, Euronews has prepared a complete list of options, organised by category, including text, emojis, and animated GIFs. Read full article

As people around the world prepare to welcome 2026, WhatsApp brings a host of new year celebration features. The app introduces special stickers, video call effects, and animated reactions to make conversations memorable. These features should already be available on the messaging platform on your Galaxy device. If not, make sure to update the app from the Play Store. Ring in 2026 with WhatsApp’s new stickers and video call effects New Year’s Day is the busiest day on WhatsApp as millions of people use the app to send texts and make calls with loved ones. WhatsApp supports more than 100 billion messages and about 2 billion calls on a regular day. During the 24 hours when the world welcomes a new year, it breaks records. WhatsApp has now launched a new 2026 sticker pack to help users share joyful and good wishes. Furthermore, the app has brought new video call effects to make virtual celebrations more joyful. During a video call, you can tap the effects icon to add animations such as fireworks, confetti, and star animations. These effects show up on the screen in real time, making video calls more festive. WhatsApp has introduced the animated confetti reactions feature.

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