WhatsApp Web will soon help users detect Misinformation with ‘Reverse Image Search’ feature
WhatsApp is taking important steps to curb misinformation by launching a reverse image search feature, now available to users on WhatsApp Web Beta. This new tool, developed in collaboration with Google, aims to help users verify the authenticity of images they receive in the app. This feature is designed to help detect whether an image has been edited or taken out of context, making it easier for users to identify fake content.
How reverse image search works
Reverse image search can be accessed directly through WhatsApp without requiring users to download images. Just select an option to search for images on the web, WhatsApp will upload it to Google’s reverse image search feature with the user’s permission. The search will then be conducted through the user’s default web browser. WhatsApp ensures that it does not have access to the content of the images during this process, with all actions managed by Google.
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New feature for iOS users
This new feature comes amid WhatsApp’s ongoing efforts to enhance user privacy and security. The company recently rolled out several updates for iOS users, including new augmented reality (AR) effects and filters for video calls and photos. The latest update, version 24.25.93, introduces AR effects such as confetti, star windows, and underwater scenes, which can be accessed via the camera’s imaging wand icon. Users can also enjoy new document scanning tools, including color, grayscale, and black-and-white filters, along with auto-scanning for improved scanning.
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WhatsApp’s focus is on privacy and security
As 2025 approaches, WhatsApp also shared an important update regarding its safety efforts in India. The platform banned 73.6 million accounts throughout the year, with 13.7 million of those accounts being proactively removed between January and October. WhatsApp has long prioritized privacy and security , with key features such as end-to-end encryption (2016), Face ID and Touch ID unlocking (2019), disappearing messages (2020), and Private Object Picker (2023). The addition of features like Group Context Tags and Passcode Verification in 2024 further strengthens WhatsApp’s commitment to user safety.
