Meta recently announced that they will be developing a new feature for WhatsApp that allows users to share the received image directly on the Google search. As reported by WABetaInfo, the feature will help the users verify the authenticity of the images they received through group chats or one-to-one conversations. Currently, the new feature will only be available to beta versions on Android phones.
Over the years, WhatsApp has remained at the forefront of introducing new features to enhance the experience of their users. Considering the growing spread of misinformation through social media platforms, Meta has taken a great initiative in introducing a new feature that helps users find the authenticity of the images they receive.
The latest update will be available on the WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.24.23.13 which can be accessed from the Google Play Store by those included in the beta program.
Users with the required version can enable this feature by tapping on the three dots option available on the top of the screen. The latest feature will be in the settings as “Search on Web” which allows the users to attach the received image directly to Google Search for verification. It does not require much effort and the users can easily find out if the image they received is genuine or fake.
WhatsApp has also confirmed the fact that the attached message remains completely confidential and will not be shared with Meta or any other applications besides Google. This way the company aims to protect the privacy of their users. Even WhatsApp will not be able to view the message and does not try to retain the attached message. The messaging platform merely acts as a bridge between the user and Google.
What is Reverse Image Feature
Google has been equipped with the reverse image tool for a long time. However, it was considered to be an invaluable tool, and the feature’s integration with WhatsApp is expected to be more convenient for the users. It is also possible to download the image and then directly search for it on Google. However, WhatsApp aims at cutting down the long process by providing a shortcut to check the authenticity of the shared message as quickly as possible. Meta has initiated the making of this latest feature to enhance the transparency of the messages and information shared via WhatsApp.
WhatsApp has remained one of the leading messaging platforms over the years. With over 3 billion users around the globe, WhatsApp has posed a major challenge to other messaging platforms. The company has also always remained committed to the privacy and interests of its users by introducing new features and updates from time to time. The latest feature was also introduced considering the safety and privacy interests of their billions of users.
By enabling the feature of a quick reverse search on Google, the users are provided with additional contexts for the images they receive through WhatsApp. Even though the rise of AI technologies has many benefits in the technological field, it has also opened many doors for hackers to gain the private details of a person using malware. Considering the growing cases of spam calls or misleading images, the latest feature introduced by WhatsApp helps users identify the authenticity of the received images.
The reverse image feature allows the users to verify if the image is altered or presented out of context. With the introduction of this essential feature, it is reported that Meta company continues to work on developing other features that are expected to allow users to search within a channel and channel QR codes, unread messages, and reminders from missed status updates. Though Meta has not officially passed out a confirmation regarding these updates, users can expect to experience new features from WhatsApp in the coming days.
Also, Read: WhatsApp Introduces In-App Contact-Saving Feature: Potential Issues and Solutions
