WhatsApp Introduces New Privacy Feature to Hide IP Addresses During Calls
WhatsApp, the popular encrypted messaging app, has recently introduced a new privacy feature that allows users to hide their IP addresses when making calls. This feature addresses a privacy concern that existed in the previous method of establishing one-to-one calls on WhatsApp.
In the previous method, one-to-one calls were established as direct peer-to-peer connections between users. While this ensured optimal voice quality, it also meant that the connected devices had to expose their IP addresses to each other. This raised concerns about privacy and the potential for IP address tracking.
To address this concern, WhatsApp has implemented a new approach. Now, all calls made on WhatsApp are routed through the company's servers, effectively masking the users' IP addresses and obscuring their locations. Despite this routing process, all calls remain end-to-end encrypted, ensuring that no one, including WhatsApp itself, can eavesdrop on the conversations.
WhatsApp acknowledges that using the call relay privacy setting may slightly compromise call quality. However, for users who prioritize privacy, this feature provides an important safeguard.
How to Hide IP Address During Calls in WhatsApp
If you want to enable the new privacy feature and hide your IP address during calls on WhatsApp, follow these simple steps:
- Make sure you have updated WhatsApp to the latest version.
- Open WhatsApp and tap on "Settings".
- Select "Privacy".
- Tap on "Advanced".
- Toggle on the switch next to "Protect IP address in calls".
It's important to note that group calls on WhatsApp are automatically relayed through the company's servers by default. Therefore, there is no need to enable this setting specifically for group conversations.
With this new privacy feature, WhatsApp continues to prioritize the security and privacy of its users. By hiding IP addresses during calls, WhatsApp provides an additional layer of protection for its users' personal information.
