WhatsApp has rolled out a new feature barring Android users from taking screenshots of other users' profile pictures.
The instant messaging app's new feature is aimed at enhancing privacy by halting the downloading and sharing of personal photos without the user’s consent.
WhatsApp users have been advised to download the updated version of the application 2.24.4.25 on the Google Play Store to access the new feature.
"WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.4.25 is marked as a compatible update, but a limited group of beta testers may be able to experiment with the same feature by installing certain previous updates," a statement released by WABetaInfo reads.
Users who attempt to take a screenshot of another person’s profile picture will get a notification saying ‘Can’t take a screenshot due to app restrictions.’
Through the launch of the new feature, WhatsApp aims to empower users to have greater control over who can access and share their profile photos.
While the new feature is currently available for Android users, Meta aims to fully roll it out for all devices in due course.
Among the other measures WhatsApp is planning to roll out to uphold privacy include users' option to display their profile photo to either nobody, their contacts, or everyone.
The same options are available for the last seen and the indicator when someone is online, the 'about page', and restrictions on who views your status.
The change comes after WhatsApp recently rolled out a 'view-once' feature preventing users from taking screenshots of images shared in a chat.
In 2019, WhatsApp updated its privacy measures by barring users from downloading profile pictures of others.
While the move somehow safeguarded user privacy, it did not take away the possibility of taking a screenshot of such photos, hence the latest policy revision.
