Addressing one of the most pronounced privacy issues on WhatsApp, the Facebook-owned service announced today that its users can now take advantage of a new feature allowing them to adjust who can add them to a group.
To enable it, do the following:
- Open WhatsApp on your iPhone.
- Tap the Settings tab at the bottom.
- Choose Account from the list.
- Tap the Privacy option.
- Tap Groups.
Now select one of three options:
- Nobody: This option ensures no one can add you to a group before you manually approve their request.
- My Contacts: Only users you have in your address book can add you to groups.
- Everyone: Anyone can add you to a group.
Aside from the new privacy setting, the app now uses an invite system. Specifically, the person inviting you to a group is now required to send a private invite through an individual chat. You’ll have three days to accept the invite before it expires.
According to WhatsApp, the new privacy-focused settings began rolling out to some users starting today. It’s a staggered release so expect it to be available worldwide “in the coming weeks”.
WhatsApp is a free download from App Store.