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whatsapp fingerprint lock

WhatsApp adds fingerprint lock feature on Android phones

One of the world’s most popular messaging services, WhatsApp, is announcing support for a new feature on Android. In the latest update, WhatsApp users on Android can lock their conversations behind a fingerprint.

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Announced in a blog post today, WhatsApp revealed that it will begin rolling out support for fingerprint lock on its Android app. This feature – which previously rolled out on iOS with support for Touch ID and Face ID – allows WhatsApp users to hide their conversations behind the biometric authentication, adding a second layer of Buenos Aires.

Fingerprint lock doesn’t block calls, but it does hide messages and other logs behind another layer of security which is always a nice option to have. Users can also set a timer on the automatic lock to prevent the fingerprint dialog from appearing every time they open up the application.

Users of WhatsApp for Android can enable the new feature by opening the WhatApp app and going to Settings > Account > Privacy > Fingerprint lock.

Here they can turn on the ‘Unlock with fingerprint’ feature, and choose whether the lock activates immediately, after one minute, or after 30 minutes.

As well as preventing nosy friends from reading your private messages, the new feature could potentially make it harder for police, intelligence and other law enforcement agencies to read messages sent by criminals and terrorists.

The app has already been criticised in the past for its ‘unbreakable’ end-to-end encryption system, meaning only people in conversations can see their contents.

The security system blocks governments and law enforcement from intercepting messages from people who might be using the platform for illegal activities.

Last year, WhatsApp admitted that its encryption software could be abused by criminals and terrorists.

HOW CAN USERS DOWNLOAD THEIR WHATSAPP REPORT?

After updating its privacy settings in line with GDPR, WhatsApp is added a feature to increase transparency for its users.

Called ‘Request Account Info’, this feature enables WhatsApp users to download their account information.

It allows people to access all the data that WhatsApp has on them.

This information is stored on WhatsApp’s servers and includes information such as profile photos and even names of group chats.

Other information includes the make and model of the device they used, their contacts and any blocked numbers.

It is important to note that the report will not contain any messages, although that option is also available through a separate feature.

How to request a report

  1. Go to WhatsApp Settings
  2. Select the Account option
  3. Press the new option that says ‘request account info’
  4. Tap Request report
  5. The screen will update to Request sent

WhatsApp claims the report will be available approximately 3 days after the date requested.

Once the report has been created and is ready, users will be able to download it.

How to download the report

  1. Go to WhatsApp Settings
  2. Click on Account
  3. Select the ‘request account info’ button
  4. Download report.

A ZIP file will then be downloaded to the device and will include an HTML file.

Once successfully downloaded, WhatsApp users will be able to export their report.

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