WhatsApp rolls out new warning for messages from unknown numbers

WhatsApp has introduced a new security feature that flags messages from unknown or international numbers before they are opened. The tool, part of expanded protection work announced by Meta in August 2025, adds a short pause and a warning screen when a message arrives from a number the user has never contacted. The system activates automatically on both Android and iOS, prompting users to verify the sender's identity before reading the message. It is designed to flag messages from numbers registered in a different country, a pattern commonly used by scammers who claim to have changed numbers or impersonate acquaintances. The feature marks a shift from earlier WhatsApp security measures, which focused on device linking and code theft and generally triggered only after a breach had occurred. Instead, the update aims to surface risks before a message is opened, asking the user to confirm trust if the app cannot find indicators that the number is reliable. WhatsApp has cautioned that the tool will not block every scam attempt and that the warning may not appear for numbers saved in a user's contacts or for people who have genuinely moved abroad. The company repeated its guidance that users should remain careful and avoid sharing personal or financial information before confirming the identity of a contact.