As of: March 26, 2024, 5:56 p.m
By: Lennart Schwenck
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A new WhatsApp feature locks profile picture screenshots.
But there is still a data protection gap.
Bremen – WhatsApp has continuously taken measures in recent years to improve the security of its platform and offer users a protected chat experience.
A recent function introduction is now causing a stir: Screenshots of profile pictures will be blocked in the future in order to strengthen user privacy.
Functional enhancement discovered: Screenshots of profile pictures are no longer possible
It was announced for the first time in February 2024 that WhatsApp was working on a function that would prevent screenshots of profile pictures.
Although an official announcement from Meta is still pending, this innovation is apparently already being tested on a large scale.
Users report that they can no longer take screenshots of profile pictures.
Instead, an error message appears indicating that screenshots are not possible due to app restrictions.
WhatsApp is strengthening its data protection: Soon it will no longer be possible to take screenshots of profile pictures © Imago Images
Phased introduction and potential impact.
Exceptions and open questions
The lock on screenshots for profile pictures should be activated by default and, according to
androidpolice.com
, is implemented on the server side.
So far there is no way to disable this feature.
The rollout will be gradual, so not all users will be affected immediately.
However, there is one significant exception: According to current information, it will still be possible to take screenshots of profile pictures in group chats.
It is unclear whether WhatsApp will also close this data protection gap.
It also remains questionable whether the restriction also applies to the use of WhatsApp Web on a laptop or desktop.
Artificial intelligence and deepfakes: Why you should protect your profile picture
The innovation is primarily intended to help prevent the misuse of profile pictures.
Especially in the context of identity theft – for example through so-called morphing – and the spread of deepfakes.
With AI tools, it has now become possible to create artificially generated deepfakes.
Recently, even a prominent person became a victim: the American singer Taylor Swift.
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To be on the safe side, users have the option of hiding their profile picture from others by making the appropriate settings.
This works in the menu under Settings > Data protection > Profile photo.
The visibility of the image can be switched off with a check mark.
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