Calls on WhatsApp are (optionally) getting much more safe for the app’s most privacy-minded customers. As outlined in this blog post, WhatsApp simply added a brand new “shield IP address in calls” toggle to its settings that shields your IP from whoever’s on the opposite facet of a name. When activated, calls shall be relayed by means of Meta / WhatsApp servers, thus concealing your true IP address.
“Most calling merchandise individuals use at the moment have peer-to-peer connections between individuals. This direct connection permits for quicker knowledge transfers and higher name high quality, but it surely additionally signifies that individuals must know one another’s IP addresses,” WhatsApp’s Daniel Sommermann, Sebastian Messmer, and Attaullah Baig wrote within the put up. “IP addresses could comprise data that a few of our most privacy-conscious customers are aware of, corresponding to broad geographical location or web supplier.”
But the improved privateness doesn’t come with out tradeoffs; WhatsApp notes that the brand new setting “will scale back name high quality.” That’s repeated on this page explaining the way to allow the brand new setting, the place WhatsApp says “when utilizing name relaying, you would possibly discover the decision high quality is diminished.” The firm additionally emphasised that calls are at all times end-to-end encrypted — even when the brand new relay possibility is getting used.
The different measure talked about within the weblog put up is an choice to silence unknown callers (first introduced in June), which WhatsApp says prevents spam disturbances and likewise shuts down a vector for advanced cybersecurity assaults.
“Protecting person privateness and security is completely essential for WhatsApp to perform its mission to allow personal communication for the world,” the weblog put up reads. “These new security options mix with many different protections to maintain individuals protected on WhatsApp.” You can discover the brand new shield IP toggle in WhatsApp’s settings beneath the privateness part.
