WhatsApp, the popular messaging platform owned by Meta, is introducing a new feature aimed at safeguarding users from unwanted calls. The feature allows users to easily toggle a setting that will silence calls from spam and nuisance callers. By activating this option, users can prevent disturbances from unknown numbers that are not part of their contact list. Those who choose not to enable the setting will still receive calls from any WhatsApp user, regardless of whether they are in their contact list or not.
Rollout of the Feature Confirmed by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg
During an announcement made by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg on Tuesday, it was revealed that WhatsApp users can now silence incoming calls from unknown contacts. This confirms the availability of the feature, which was previously in development, to all users. Gadgets 360 has independently verified that the setting is accessible on the latest stable versions of WhatsApp for both Android and iOS.
Silent Calls with Notification Display
Enabling the feature ensures that users will not be disturbed by calls from unknown contacts. However, WhatsApp will still display the call in the notification area and within the app itself. This way, users can still be aware of an incoming call from an unknown person, but the phone will not ring, reducing unwanted disturbances caused by strangers.
Enabling the Feature and Steps for Android and iPhone Users
To activate the feature on Android, users can tap on the three-dot menu, go to Settings > Privacy > Calls, and toggle the Silence unknown callers option in the app. Similarly, iPhone users can access the settings menu by tapping on the gear icon within WhatsApp, then proceed to Privacy > Calls, and toggle the Silence Unknown Callers option.
Addressing Previous Spam Call Issues and Enhancing User Experience
The introduction of this feature comes after reports of users in India and other regions receiving spam calls from unknown numbers. Complaints on platforms like Twitter highlighted calls originating from countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Kenya, and Ethiopia. In response, Minister of State for IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar announced the IT Ministry’s intention to send a notice to WhatsApp. The messaging platform has since stated its commitment to improving spam detection systems using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), with the aim of reducing scam and spam calls by at least 50 percent. This new call silence feature is expected to provide users with added convenience and reduce the inconvenience caused by unwanted calls on the WhatsApp platform.
