Overview
- The new Strict Account Settings option bundles multiple protections behind one toggle found under Settings > Privacy > Advanced in beta builds.
- After activation, WhatsApp blocks media from unknown senders, disables link previews, silences calls from unknown numbers, and restricts group invites to contacts.
- The mode enforces two-step verification, limits visibility of last seen, online status, profile photo and about info, and routes calls via WhatsApp servers to obscure the user’s IP address.
- Meta positions the feature for high‑risk users who suspect they could be targeted by sophisticated campaigns, noting most people likely won’t need it.
- Users can turn the mode on or off only from their primary device, with the locked settings applied to all linked devices, and no wider rollout date has been announced.