Meta strengthens scam defenses with new alerts on WhatsApp and Messenger

Meta will alert WhatsApp users when sharing their screen with unknown contacts to prevent exposure of sensitive data, while Messenger tests an AI-driven scam detection system that warns about suspicious messages and allows users to report or block accounts

Meta is rolling out new security features on WhatsApp and Messenger aimed at alerting users to potential scams and helping them safeguard their accounts. The company revealed that it recently identified and disrupted nearly 8 million scams on Facebook and Instagram across Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and the United Arab Emirates. These scams spanned messaging platforms, dating apps, social media, cryptocurrency services, and other applications.

In addition, Meta took action against over 21,000 pages and accounts impersonating customer support on Facebook, which were designed to trick users into revealing sensitive personal information.

Screen-sharing and chat warnings

On WhatsApp, a new notification will now appear when users attempt to share their screen with someone they do not know during a video call. The alert will remind users to share their screen only with trusted contacts and warn that sensitive information, such as banking details or verification codes, could be exposed.

“We know scammers may pressure their targets to share their screen to trick people into giving away sensitive information including bank details or verification codes. With this new tool, we give our users more context to spot and avoid scams,” Meta explained in a blog post.

Meanwhile, Messenger is testing a more advanced scam detection system that will alert users if a message appears suspicious. Users will also have the option to send recent chats for an AI-based scam review, which provides information on common scams and recommends actions such as blocking or reporting the account. Meta has not yet shared a timeline for when this feature will be widely available.

Global awareness and education initiatives

Beyond technology, Meta is investing in global educational campaigns to increase scam awareness. In India, the company has collaborated with comedy creators to promote safety measures in public spaces, highlighting features like Two-Factor Authentication and the Block and Report function.

In related developments, Meta recently updated its WhatsApp Business API policy to ban third-party chatbots, affecting services such as ChatGPT and Perplexity. With this change, Meta AI is positioned as the platform’s sole AI assistant, marking a significant shift in how businesses and users interact on WhatsApp.

These measures reflect Meta’s ongoing commitment to strengthen user security, combat fraud, and educate the public about evolving online threats.