In recent weeks, WhatsApp has been involved in several controversies involving the use and sharing of user data with Facebook. The new data policy generated a lot of distrust and many people decided to abandon the messenger, migrating en masse to Telegram. Today, WhatsApp announced that it will add another security update and will start asking users for biometrics on its web and desktop versions.

The new update will require users to authenticate their identity via facial recognition, fingerprint or iris scan. Biometrics are not a replacement for QR codes, but this authentication step is essential for users to be able to read the code and access the app on their computer. Without this, it will not be possible to open the app.

Why biometrics?

On Android, the change will be for any device compatible with biometrics, while on the iPhone, the function will only work on devices with iOS 14 onwards.

After all the controversy surrounding data usage, it seems that WhatsApp has been concerned about being more transparent with users and, in a Twitter post, Facebook's company guaranteed that it will not have access to sensitive information, such as users' faces or fingerprints. In addition, the messenger guaranteed that the extra authentication step prevents a personal account from being accessed by third-party devices.

Investments in the web version

Along with the new security stage, Whatsapp announced other important changes for its web version, such as a new design, which should arrive in the coming weeks, and tests of audio and video connections.

Although it was announced today, biometric authentication may not be available for all devices yet, but to activate it, just go to “Settings”, select “WhatsApp Web” and follow the instructions if your device supports the biometric authentication option. Then, just scan the QR Code in any browser on your computer.

Through which channels you reach those people, classic and out of the box. Android Authority

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