WhatsApp may soon introduce a new privacy-focused feature, screenshot detection for Status updates. This potential move suggests the platform is looking to add another layer of control for its users, much like Snapchat, which already alerts users when someone takes a screenshot of their Story.
The discovery was made by Android Authority during an analysis of WhatsApp beta for Android, specifically version 2.25.12.19. The team found early signs of a function that detects when someone takes a screenshot of a Status post. If implemented, users could receive a notification whenever their Status has been screenshot.
However, this feature might not necessarily make it to the public. As noted by Android Authority, while it's present in the code of the beta version, there's no guarantee it will be officially rolled out. It's also unclear whether users will be actively notified when their own Status has been captured by others.
This isn't WhatsApp's first attempt at improving privacy. The app had previously blocked users from taking screenshots of profile pictures, aiming to reduce misuse and safeguard personal images. Introducing a similar restriction or detection tool for Status content would be consistent with WhatsApp's ongoing push for better privacy tools.
For now, the screenshot detection feature remains in its early stages, and there's no official word from WhatsApp on whether it will be released publicly.
