Meta adds new anti-scam tools to WhatsApp, Facebook, Messenger

Meta has introduced new anti-scam tools across WhatsApp, Facebook, and Messenger to combat fraudsters who leverage social engineering tactics. These updates include device linking warnings on WhatsApp and alerts for suspicious friend requests on Facebook, The Register reports.

The new features aim to protect users from scams that begin with simple social interactions, like friend requests or shared links. WhatsApp will now warn users if a device-linking request shows behavioral signals indicative of a scam, such as attempts to obtain linking codes or QR codes under false pretenses. Facebook is testing alerts for friend requests with suspicious activity, like a lack of mutual friends or recent account creation.

Messenger is also rolling out advanced scam detection, utilizing AI to identify scam patterns in chats, including impersonations and spoofed links. These efforts are part of a broader crackdown where Meta, in partnership with international law enforcement, has disabled over 150,000 scam-linked accounts and arrested 21 individuals.

Source: The Register