New Delhi: WhatsApp, the popular instant messaging app owned by Meta, has launched a new feature that allows users to protect their IP addresses in calls. This feature, which is available in the latest version of the app, enables users to relay their calls through WhatsApp servers, which prevents other callers from seeing their IP addresses and tracing their location.
The feature is designed for users who are concerned about their privacy and security, as IP addresses may contain information such as broad geographic location or Internet provider. By hiding their IP addresses, users can avoid exposing such information to other callers, who may have malicious intentions or use third-party tools to track them.
WhatsApp said in a blog post that most calling products used by people today have peer-to-peer connections between participants, which means that participants need to know each other’s IP addresses. “This direct connection allows for faster data transfers and better call quality, but it also means that participants need to know each other’s IP addresses,” the company said.
However, the company also noted that users may experience reduced call quality when using call relaying, as the data has to travel through an intermediary server. The company also assured users that their calls on WhatsApp are end-to-end encrypted, which means that no one, not even WhatsApp, can hear them.
To access this feature, users need to go to Settings, then Privacy, then Advanced, and then toggle on or off Protect IP Address in calls. The feature is optional and can be turned on or off at any time, depending on the user’s preference. The feature is currently available for Android and iOS users and will be rolled out to other platforms soon.
