WhatsApp is rolling out a new privacy-enhancing feature that gives users the option to hide their IP addresses from recipients of their voice calls within the app.
The setting provides an additional layer of anonymity for those concerned about revealing location or Internet provider data.
By default, WhatsApp uses peer-to-peer connections that expose IP addresses when optimal call quality requires it. But the new function overrides it to hide the IPs.
IP addresses may disclose personal information
Knowing someone’s IP address can unlock a lot of details about that person through geolocation and identifying their Internet Service Provider.
For users who want more privacy, hiding this information from the people they call avoids revealing unwanted personal or location information.
New setting activates IP address masking
Within WhatsApp settings, users can now activate the new “Protect IP address” option under Account Privacy to enforce IP hiding on all voice calls.
Once enabled, WhatsApp will route calls through its servers instead of peer-to-peer connections to obscure IPs, even if call quality drops slightly as a result.
Part of a broader privacy campaign
The ability to mask IP addresses represents WhatsApp’s latest effort to increase user privacy.
Other recent additions include options to automatically mute unknown callers and use fingerprint verification to lock chats.
End-to-end encryption still intact
Importantly, WhatsApp emphasizes that redirecting calls to mask IP addresses does not undermine the platform’s underlying end-to-end encryption.
Even when IP addresses are hidden by connections sent through WhatsApp servers, the content of the call remains securely encrypted between the sender and recipient.
Provides control over data exposure
Ultimately, the new IP cloaking feature gives users more control over what personal data points they are comfortable sharing when making voice calls.
If hiding IP addresses provides the necessary peace of mind, the option now exists alongside WhatsApp’s expanding suite of privacy tools.
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Categories: Technology
Source: vtt.edu.vn