WhatsApp adds ability to block photo uploads from chats and message forwarding

WhatsApp has announced an enhanced privacy mode for chats, which allows you to restrict content from being shared outside of chats — both in private and group conversations. Users will be able to prevent messages from being forwarded, save images and videos, and use messages for AI features.

The company says this mode can be useful for users who are part of group chats where they don't know nearly all the participants, such as in support groups.

The new protection mode has been rolled out globally in the latest update to the app. You can enable protection in the settings of a specific chat. Meta adds that this is just the first version of the feature, and new levels of protection will be added over time.