WhatsApp users need to switch on old phone for verification to use app on new device

April 13, 2023 22:35

Instant messaging platform WhatsApp users may need to switch on their old phone to verify themselves for using the app on a new device, the company said on Thursday.

In addition to this, the company will be rolling out two new features, including device verification to help prevent malware from taking over the WhatsApp account and sending out messages without the user's knowledge or permission.

"If you need to switch your WhatsApp account to a new device -- we want to double-check that it's really you. From now on, we may ask you on your old device to verify that you want to take this step as an extra security check. This feature can help alert you to an unauthorised attempt to move your account to another device," WhatsApp said in a statement.

The move provides an extra layer of security to WhatsApp users.

WhatsApp said that it is concerned about malware that infects a mobile phone in much the same way a virus infects a computer.

"Malware is used to advance account takeover attacks that send messages without the user's knowledge or permission. In our ongoing effort to safeguard peoples' accounts and information on WhatsApp, we're introducing a new security measure -- called device verification -- to help prevent ATO attacks," the company said. -- PTI

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