On January 28, 2026, Meta officially launched “Strict Account Settings,” a powerful new “lockdown-style” security mode for WhatsApp. Designed specifically for journalists, activists, and public figures who face targeted cyberattacks, the feature bundles the app’s most restrictive privacy controls into a single toggle. While all WhatsApp messages remain protected by default end-to-end encryption, this new layer is intended to block the “zero-click” exploits often used by state-sponsored spyware like Pegasus.
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When enabled, the mode automatically blocks all media and attachments from unknown senders, silences calls from non-contacts, and disables link previews to prevent malicious code from executing. Beyond these visible changes, Meta revealed it has replaced over 160,000 lines of C++ code with Rust, a memory-safe programming language, to further shield photos and videos from hidden spyware. This technical overhaul, combined with a new internal inspection system called “Kaleidoscope,” aims to neutralize malicious files before they can touch a device’s operating system.
New WhatsApp lockdown feature protects high-risk users from hackers https://t.co/GkEYQ1hJx0 #Security
— The Cyber Security Hub™ (@TheCyberSecHub) January 28, 2026
The feature is currently rolling out globally and can be found under Settings > Privacy > Advanced. Meta warns that because the mode limits many social features, it should only be used by those at high risk of sophisticated digital threats. With this move, WhatsApp joins Apple’s Lockdown Mode and Google’s Advanced Protection in providing extreme safeguards for vulnerable users in an increasingly hostile digital landscape.
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