WhatsApp tests warning for ‘suspicious links’ in chats

WhatsApp has added a feature to its Android beta to warn users about “suspicious links.” If someone shares such a link in a chat, the app will show a red warning label.

Image via WABetainfo

The feature was discovered by WABetainfo. The site reports that if WhatsApp detects a suspicious link, a red warning label is placed over the preview of the link. If the recipient still clicks on the link, the chat app will display a more extensive warning. For example, WABetainfo tested a link with suspicious characters, which are also mentioned in the second warning. The feature may only extend to these types of links and not domains that are, for example, on a blacklist.

It is unclear how WhatsApp intends to label links as ‘suspicious’. WABetainfo claims that checking sent links is done locally and that no data is sent to WhatsApp’s servers. The site also states that the feature is still under development and that changes may be made in the future, such as an ability to manually report suspicious links.