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WhatsApp adds new security layer for desktop users

By Lokmat English Desk | Updated: January 28, 2021 19:00 IST

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WhatsApp on Thursday said it is bringing in an additional layer of protection for users linking their WhatsApp account to their computer.
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The Facebook-owned company said it will use the face or fingerprint unlock, where it is available on the mobile phone operating system, to facilitate the new security feature.
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'In order to link WhatsApp Web or Desktop to your WhatsApp account, you will now be asked to use your face or fingerprint unlock on your phone, before scanning a QR code from the phone to link your device.
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This will limit the chance that a housemate or officemate (when we have those again) can link devices to your WhatsApp account without you,' WhatsApp said in a blogpost.
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This builds on the existing security measures that pop up a notice in the user's phone whenever a web/desktop login occurs.
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'The face and fingerprint authentication takes place on your device in a privacy-preserving manner - by design, WhatsApp cannot access the biometric information stored by your device's operating system,' WhatsApp said.
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The new security update for linking devices will be rolling out, alongside a visual redesign to the WhatsApp Web page on phones, to users with compatible devices over the coming weeks, it added.
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WhatsApp was at the centre of a controversy regarding its privacy policy update wherein it forced users to accept the new terms or ban usage if not accepted.
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This caused a huge uproar among users, pushing people to shift to other platforms like Signal and Telegram.
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The company has since withdrawn its privacy policy update and has set a later date for it.
Tags: Whatsapp
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