Locking Down the Chat: WhatsApp Debuts “Strict Mode” to Combat Pegasus Spyware

According to Daily CyberSecurity, WhatsApp under Meta has announced the introduction of “Strict Account Settings,” a defence mechanism designed to counter cyber offensives and espionage, including the Pegasus spyware developed by the NSO Group. The rollout is slated to be global in the coming weeks and will tighten user security by activating a suite of protections in a single mode.

The implementation foregrounds three pillar defenses: Interdiction of Foreign Attachments, which blocks images, cinematics, and documents from unrecognised contacts; Suspension of Hyperlink Previews, which disables automatic thumbnails and headers for both incoming and outgoing links; and Suppression of Unknown Callers, which silences calls from unknown numbers by default.

WhatsApp notes that standard End-to-End Encryption remains intact for the majority of users, stressing that Strict Account Settings is an optional enhancement for heightened security. The move follows similar initiatives such as Apple’s Lockdown Mode and aims to shield high-risk individuals, including journalists and activists, from sophisticated digital threats. January 29, 2026.