Strict Account Settings is a newly introduced lockdown-style security mode that lets users instantly apply the most restrictive privacy and protection settings available on whatsapp — helping guard accounts against sophisticated cyberattacks and spyware threats.

1. 🛡️ Lockdown‑Style Security in One Tap

With Strict Account Settings, whatsapp bundles multiple strong protections into a single toggle. Instead of adjusting various privacy options one by one, enabling this mode automatically locks your account into the strictest security configuration available.

2. 📵 Blocks media & Attachments from Unknown Contacts

Once activated:

WhatsApp blocks all attachments and media (photos, videos, documents) from people not in your contacts.
This helps prevent malicious files from reaching your device.

3. 📞 Silences Calls from Unknown Numbers

Calls from numbers that aren’t saved in your phone are automatically silenced — a useful defense against voice‑based phishing or intrusion attempts.

4. 🔗 Disables Link Previews

URL preview thumbnails (which often fetch metadata from links) are turned off in this mode, lowering the risk of phishing or external site tracking via conversation snippets.

5. 🔐 Tightens Existing Security Tools

In Strict Account Settings:

Two‑step verification is turned on and locked.

Security notifications (alerts like encryption key changes) are enabled.
These become part of your default setup while the mode is active.

6. 👤 Profiles & Presence Restricted

Visibility of your:

Last seen

Online status

Profile photo

About info
is restricted to contacts only, reducing exposure to unknown or potentially hostile numbers.

7. 👥 Group Privacy Strengthened

Only people in your contact list (or specific approved people) can add you to whatsapp groups — a guard against spam group invites.

8. ⚠️ Who Is This Feature For?

WhatsApp says this setting is especially beneficial for users at high risk of targeted cyberattacks — like journalists, activists, public figures or anyone concerned about sophisticated spyware threats.

However, any whatsapp user can enable it, even if you’re not considered high‑risk.

9. 📍 How to Turn It On

To enable Strict Account Settings:

Open WhatsApp

Go to Settings

Tap Privacy

Select Advanced

Turn on Strict Account Settings
⚠️ Note: You can only activate or disable this from your main device — not from whatsapp Web or desktop apps.

10. 📅 Rollout & Availability

This feature is rolling out gradually over the coming weeks to users on both Android and iOS, so it may not appear immediately in your app until the update reaches your region.

📌 Bottom Line

Strict Account Settings gives users a fast way to harden their whatsapp accounts by automatically applying top‑tier privacy and security controls — trading some convenience for significantly enhanced protection against advanced threats.

 

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