WhatsApp Rolls Out Lockdown-Style Security Mode to Protect Targeted Users From Spyware

WhatsApp is rolling out a lockdown-style security mode, termed Strict Account Settings, to protect targeted users from advanced spyware, according to Meta. The feature locks certain account settings to the most restrictive options and blocks attachments and media from people not in a user’s contacts, while silencing calls from unknown numbers and limiting other app functionality. It can be enabled via Settings > Privacy > Advanced and will be rolled out gradually over the coming weeks.

Meta said the rollout extends WhatsApp’s security by trading some functionality for enhanced protection for individuals such as journalists or public-facing figures. In parallel, the company is adopting the Rust programming language for a cross‑platform media library called wamedia, described as the largest rollout globally of any library written in Rust, aimed at keeping photos, videos, and messages safer from spyware. WhatsApp also noted protections like safer buffer handling and memory‑safe languages for new code as part of its defence‑in‑depth approach.